Hebrews 6:1-2 (NLT) “So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God. You don’t need further instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.”

1. THE HAND OF GOD.

• GOD’S HAND IS A GALAXY-CREATING HAND.
• His hand = His action. If His hand gets involved, something is created, destroyed, or moved.
• Exodus 15:6 (NLT) “Your right hand, O LORD, is glorious in power. Your right hand, O LORD, smashes the enemy.”
• Psalm 118:15-16 (NLT) “Songs of joy and victory are sung in the camp of the godly. The strong right arm of the LORD has done glorious things! The strong right arm of the LORD is raised in triumph. The strong right arm of the LORD has done glorious things!”
• His hand represents His presence.
  • Ezra 7:9b (NLT) “For the gracious hand of his God was on him.”
  • Nehemiah 2:8b (NLT) “And the king granted these requests, because the gracious hand of God was on me.”
• JESUS - The Incarnate God
  • John 1:14 (NLT) “So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.”
• HEALING the leper
  • Mark 1:40-42 (NLT) “A man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed. ‘If you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean,’ he said. Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him. ‘I am willing,’ he said. ‘Be healed!’ Instantly the leprosy disappeared, and the man was healed.”
  • THE NEED FOR TOUCH
    • More than a transfer of power. The man needed to be touched.
    • LAYING ON OF HANDS IS CONNECTION. Relationship.
• BLESSING the children
  • Mark 10:16 (NLT) “Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them.”
  • Hebrews 11:21 (NLT) “It was by faith that Jacob, when he was old and dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons and bowed in worship as he leaned on his staff.”
  • Genesis 48:14 (NLT) “But Israel reached out his right hand and put it on the head of Ephraim, though he was the younger boy. And crossing his arms, he put his left hand on the head of Manasseh, who was the firstborn.”
  • There is a transfer of blessing.
• MERCY for Peter
  • Matthew 14:31 (NLT) “Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. ‘You have so little faith,’ Jesus said. ‘Why did you doubt me?’”
  • The hand as an extension of mercy.

2. HIS HAND IN THE CHURCH.

• TRANSFER OF GIFTS
  • 2 Timothy 1:6 (NLT) “This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you.”
  • Acts 8:17 (NLT) “Then Peter and John laid their hands upon these believers, and they received the Holy Spirit.”
  • Acts 19:6 (NLT) “Then when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in other tongues and prophesied.”
• TRANSFER OF AUTHORITY
  • Acts 6:6 (NLT) “These seven were presented to the apostles, who prayed for them as they laid their hands on them.”
  • Numbers 27:18-20 (NLT) “The LORD replied, ‘Take Joshua son of Nun, who has the Spirit in him, and lay your hands on him. Present him to Eleazar the priest before the whole community, and publicly commission him to lead the people. Transfer some of your authority to him so the whole community of Israel will obey him.’”
  • Numbers 27:23 (NLT) “Moses laid his hands on him and commissioned him to his responsibilities, just as the LORD had commanded through Moses.”
  • Deuteronomy 34:9 (NLT) “Now Joshua son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him. So the people of Israel obeyed him, doing just as the LORD had commanded Moses.”
• TRANSFER OF COVERING
  • Acts 13:2-3 (NLT) “One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Appoint Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.’ So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way.”

3. HIS HANDS THROUGH YOUR HANDS.

• Mark 16:17-18 (NLT) “These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in new languages. They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won’t hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed.”
• God wants to use your hands. To give mercy, healing, and blessing.
• YOUR HANDS BECOME HIS HANDS.
• WHEN YOU TOUCH SOMEONE, GOD IS TOUCHING THEM THROUGH YOU.