He Touched Me Anyway | Herbert Fontnette | Sermon Notes — Hello Pastor

Sermon Notes

He Touched Me Anyway

Herbert Fontnette

Strong Tower Ministries • Sep 13, 2026 • 82 min

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Take this message with you through a journey of Scripture, reflection, and prayer.

Summary

In this powerful teaching on Mark 1:40–45, Pastor Herb Fontnette explores the story of the leper who approached Jesus for healing. Rather than waiting for the man to be made clean first, Jesus reached out and touched him in his desperate, sinful, and isolated state. Believers are reminded that Christ touches us right where we are, cleanses us deeply, and restores us back into community and divine purpose.

Themes

The Compassion and Touch of ChristDivine Healing and CleansingGrace and MercyRestoration from IsolationProclaiming What God Has Done

Key Points

1.
In biblical times, leprosy meant severe quarantine, excommunication from family and worship, and being forced to cry out 'Unclean' wherever one went.
2.
The leper broke protocol to reach Jesus because desperation drove him past social opinions and religious rules.
3.
You do not have to clean yourself up before coming to Jesus; He reaches you directly in your messy state.
4.
The leper's question, 'If You are willing, You can make me clean,' reveals our common struggle of believing God is able, but doubting if He will do it for us personally.
5.
Jesus reached out and touched the leper before healing him, demonstrating holy love that is not contaminated by dirty circumstances.
6.
Jesus does not put His hands on you because you got right; He gets you right by putting His hands on you.
7.
Jesus did not merely heal the man's physical condition; He cleansed him completely so he could be restored to community life.
8.
God often uses seasons of isolation as preparation for divine elevation and spiritual growth.

Sermon Moments

“Explaining the terrible realities of ancient leprosy—isolation, wearing a cover over the upper lip, and shouting 'Unclean! Unclean!'”

“Highlighting the problem in today's church where people expect folks to get right before coming to Jesus.”

“Focusing on Jesus reaching out His hand to touch the leper before healing him.”

“Declaring that Jesus is holy enough, righteous enough, and loving enough to touch us even when we are dirty.”

“Explaining that Jesus doesn't put His hands on you after you get right; He gets you right when He puts His hands on you.”

“Encouraging isolated believers that seasons of being set apart often precede divine elevation.”

“Explaining the difference between just being healed and being cleansed for full restoration.”

“Leading the congregation in a 'but praise'—celebrating that 'I used to be down, but the Lord raised me up!'”

This Week

Come to Jesus as you are this week without waiting until you feel 'clean' or spiritually perfect.

Identify any areas where you doubt God's willingness to bless or heal you, and surrender those doubts in prayer.

Reflect on how God touched and saved you while you were still in sin, using that memory to cultivate deep gratitude.

Reach out compassionately to someone in your life who feels isolated, ostracized, or rejected by society.

Praise God for the 'but' in your story—acknowledging where you used to be down or sick, but thanking Him for raising you up.

Boldly share your personal testimony of what Christ has done for you with someone who needs encouragement.

Offer God a 'preemptive praise' by thanking Him in advance for the touch, victory, and healing He is preparing to bring into your life.

Remember This

Jesus does not wait for you to get right before He touches you; His touch is what cleanses, heals, and restores you.

A Challenge for You

If you don't know Christ in the pardon of your sins, stand and accept the invitation today to get to know the Savior who died for you while you were yet in your sin.

These are personal sermon notes shared to help you remember the message — not a replacement for Scripture, your church, or your pastors.