A certain blind man sat by the way side begging

Service Notes

Please take note of the Christmas schedule.

Also, be on the look out for an email this week concerning a Church Directory. This has been requested for some time. The link will allow you to decide what information you want shared. In the days to come we will share with you how this directory and other online tools can help you stay informed with the Groups and Ministries in the church that you are involved.

The Browns are with us today. Tonight they will share about their ministry in Asia, in a predominantly Muslim country. We will not be streaming, so let me encourage you to be here to hear the update and message.

Thankful to have Joseph and Abi Hodges in from Honduras, Joseph will be preaching in tonight’s Spanish service.

Bible Reading

Introduction / written on the front pages of my Bible

A friend inquired of me yesterday, “Will you preach on Sunday morning to saints or to sinners?” I could not, at the moment, answer him, but afterwards I thought to myself—“If I preach concerning Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, I shall kill two birds with one stone and give both saints and sinners a profitable theme for thought.” There is but one message of the gospel and it has a voice to all. Saints know no sweeter music than the name of Jesus and sinners know no richer comfort than His person and His work. We preach to all when we preach Him who is all in all. Christ comes as life to the dead and He is equally life to the living. - Spurgeon

Luke 18:34–43 (KJV 1900)

34 And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.

Review from last week

Disciples still had a hard time understanding the role of suffering in the great redemption story

They followed him trusting, believing

Jesus had his face set like a flint headed to the cross with joy, knowing it was pleasing to the Father and necessary for mankind

Introduction

So much joy in this story, we are heading into dark, difficult days for Jesus and the disciples as they head to Jerusalem - this is our exceptionally warm day before winter comes

Last public miracle, Jesus will cause a fig tree to wither, but this is the last miracle involving a person

Story is told in Mark 10 & Matthew 20

In Matthew we learn his name is Bartimaus

One last thing before we read

We have been given insights into the qualities of followers, examples both negative and positive.

These are the characters Jesus brings to his outdoor classroom of discipleship:

The Persistent Widow (18:1-8)

The Pharisee and the Tax Collector (18:9-14)

The Children (18:15-17)

The Rich Young Ruler (18:18-30)

The Insightful Blind Beggar (18:35-43)

The Chief Tax Collector Zacchaeus (19:1-10)

Jesus has just allowed the most "desirable" potential disciple (the rich young ruler) to escape without being saved. Now he pauses on his journey for the social outcasts who depend on others' kindness for his very survival. What a contrast!

35 And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging: 36 And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant. 37 And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by. 38 And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me. 39 And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me. 40 And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him, 41 Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight. 42 And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee. 43 And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.

Pastoral Prayer

Thank you for all those you have brought here today

Thank you for those serving to make sure all ages are hearing from God’s Word today

Thank you for the believers and unbelievers who will hear today’s Text and be challenged by the sweet music and comfort of the Gospel

Sermon Introduction

If I told you that I would meet you in downtown Dawsonville would you be waiting by a courthouse or near a crazy intersection and outlet mall? This is what we have with new and old Jericho.

Miracles started at a wedding in North Galilee and will end here in Southern Judah

There would have been so many people.

They were all headed for Jerusalem for the Passover

Most likely passed by where Jesus was baptized, very likely saw the area was Jesus was tempted for 40 days,

Quote from my niece Tegan (7) “Jesus did not just come to earth to just heal people.. that is just what God does on the way to the cross”

Retelling of the story

Jericho had to have been filled with all kinds of sights, all kinds of sounds, all kinds of memories, including the dusty commotion of a huge crowd following Him, kicking up dirt everywhere.

Today we will focus on the CROWD, the CRY, and the CHRIST

The Crowds Confusion

Luke 18:35-39 “35 And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging: 36 And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant. 37 And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by. 38 And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me. 39 And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.”

They had convictions but no compassion

Theological debate of John 9:9 concerning a blind man. And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?

Jesus saw “a man” 9:1

Disciples saw a theological debate. Luke 18:39 “39 And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.”

Jesus saw a person to minister to and they saw someone or something to rebuke.

The religious multitude can be brutal.

The people going inside the temple to worship were supposed to have a soft heart and so they would give to the beggars.

Instead of being moved with compassion; we are moved to create memes, sign petitions, create brochures full of shocking stats.

Simply, People were not helping get him to Jesus.

As the people of Bethsaida did in Mark 8:22 And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him.

No hole cut in roof like we saw in Mark 2

Same crowd that will cause Zachaeus to climb up in a tree, for the Lord he wanted to see.

The crowd always wants conformity

Desired to silence the blind man.

The pious probably thought they were doing the Lord a service.

Jesus would want to hear the cry of mercy over their shallow hallelujahs.

Jesus came to help those who were in need. Mark 2:17 When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

We should say “that is not my crowd.” Let us be the the crowd that pulls down roofs, carries blind men, makes way for others.

They wanted him to fall in line.

The Country for the Blind / HG Wells - Explored falls into a valley that only has the blind. He can see but they tell him that sight was a distraction and tried to convince him to get his eyes removed.

Bartimeuas saw by faith what they did not. 2 Corinthians 5:7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

They saw Jesus of Nazereth, he say Son of David; the Messiah. Luke 18:39 “39 And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.”

The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision. - Helen Keller

In a crowd but all alone.

Have you ever felt this? Maybe you are in it right now?

The world is filled with “all these lonely people”

Father McKenzie, writing the words of a sermon no one will hear.

Eleanor Rigby, picking up rice in the church where a wedding has been, but it’s not your wedding.

Songs are written to relate to people. This song became famous because it related to so many people, “all the lonely people”.

We could hear them today, if we would listen?

People should see our good works and glorify the Father. Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

I believe there may be many people weeping alone. Romans 12:15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

Jesus really is a friend of sinners. He meets us in our loneliness.

You can be there when the miracle happens.

Can you imagine the excitement when the blind man hears "he was born like this to bring God glory”

Can you imagine, this was the first time ever when he heard someone speak hope and love into his life about his sickness.

Transitional Statement: The crowd shows no interest or compassion for this common begger. But Jesus will hear the voice of someone He loves, someone He is headed to the cross to die for. Bartimeus’s cry for mercy causes the Son to stand still.

The Compelling Cry

Luke 18:38-40 “38 And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me. 39 And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me. 40 And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him,”

Bartimaues was not going to lose his opportunity.

He was not going to let the crowd keep him from Jesus. v.38 but he cried so much the more,

He was willing to leave all he ever knew to follow Jesus. Mark 10:50 “50 And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.”

We have seen this type of radical urgency out of others.

a) The woman will not give up hope that Jesus will heal her daughter even though she is not a Jew and Jesus initially rebuffs her.

Jairus must ignore the mockery of the mourners that Jesus can do nothing for his dead child

Friends must force their way through a crowd and a roof to bring their paralyzed companion to Jesus

The leper and the woman with the flow of blood must disregard laws that forbid them from having contact with Jesus to receive his help

A desperate father must overcome his doubt that Jesus can do anything to help his tormented son when the disciples have already failed

All these people had something in common that was different than the crowd.

They knew they their helpless state.

They knew that Jesus could meet their every need!

Powerful 8 words

Luke 18:39 “39 And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.”

Nothing fancy. Just recognizing he was sick and Jesus is the Great Physician.

How did he know this? (story of BRR / deaf teenager)

Information available to everyone else.

Very likely no one took the time to tell him directly.

Bartimeaus was just getting the headlines of the news

It was enough for him to know this man they called Jesus was the Messiah!

Commercials for medicine. I don’t think I need it so I don’t listen and wonder how others do as well.

Bartimaeus’ request for the restoration of his sight also demonstrates his good understanding of what the Messiah is supposed to do.

This beggar knew Jesus was more than powerful enough to give him sight.

Even though others didn’t recognize it. He knew the coming Messiah would restore all things. Isaiah 65:17-19 For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. 18 But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy. 19 And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying.

Cry for mercy

Jesus asks both the sons of Zebedee as well as Bartimaeus, “What do you want me to do for you?”,

James and John request power. Mark 10:37 “37 They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory.”

Bartimaeus requests mercy.

Do not think he was just asking for a handout like any other beggar.

Asking for mercy acknowledges something about the person you are asking mercy from.

Mercy is God not punishing us as our sins deserve, and grace is God blessing us despite the fact that we do not deserve it.

Bartimeus knew he needed to meet this man that everyone was talking about.

You see Bartimeuas knew he was sick and he knew Jesus was the messiah.

Bartimeuas responds to mercy as a disciple should.

Bartimeus knew he needed more than just new eyes. He needed mercy.

The way is following Jesus!

And Jesus said unto him, Mark 10:52 “52 And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.”

(1) Where else can we go? He has the words of life. John 6

Girl purchased and given freedom follows Abraham Lincoln.

Transitional Statement: Following Jesus just seems reasonable to us old blind beggars who have been given sight!

As soon as Bartimaeus received his sight, he saw Jesus, and he wanted nothing more than to follow Him to Jerusalem. . . . That is the desire of all who are given eyes to see and ears to hear the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Compassionate Christ

Luke 18:40-42 “40 And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him, 41 Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight. 42 And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee.”

Command to call the blind man.

At the start of Jesus teaching ministry he walks into a temple and reads. Luke 4:18 “18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,”

Unlike the crowd Jesus did not find it as a distraction from life but His reason for being here.

Jesus has time for the outcasts because He came for us!

Jesus came to serve. Mark 10:45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

He had time to stop and listen to the cry for mercy. Because He is a loving and attentive Savior.

Willing to listen.

Christ delights in knowing our hearts desires. He encourages us to speak though He knows, because it is pleasant to Him to hear, and good for us to tell.

It reveals our hearts.

All sufficient Savior.

Jesus says Luke 18:42 “42 And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee.”

What should be needed to make us whole? What should be needed to wash away our sins? All things we could never do.

This is only possible because Jesus will pay for his sins. Remember He is headed to the cross

It is now faith in the Christ that makes us WHOLE!

The beggar recognized Jesus as Lord. Luke 18:41 “41 Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight.”

Bartimeaus was asking something massive but he was asking the Lord

He knew if this Jesus he had been hearing about would just hear his cry all things would be changed!

He began with need, went on to gratitude, and finished with loyalty--and that is a perfect summary of the stages of discipleship.

After a whole series of episodes in which the Twelve do not get it, here, just before Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, is someone who gets everything right. And who is this exemplary disciple? A blind beggar, sitting by the roadside, yelling his head off for Jesus.

Let’s bow our heads for prayer

Conclusion

We should ask ourselves ‘What sort of man must I be, if that is the kind of Saviour that I need?’

It will help us see life with the clear vision that Bartimeus had.

We can come to Jesus today with a request? What is your heart crying out for?

You desire the personal glory or do you see your need of mercy?

An opportunity—a favorable time or occasion when we are in a position to make a decision that will impact our lives in a positive way—is a gift from the Lord.

Jesus is passing by your way. Cry out for mercy.

Without Jesus Christ you are all blind.

Kind mothers, but blind.

Brilliant businessmen, but blind.

Wonderful musicians, but blind.

Bank-managers, doctors, construction workers, postmen, policemen, media people – every one of you is blind without Christ!

Luke 18:36 “36 And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant.”

We pray you know what Jesus passing by means for you today!

In Matthew and John we learn there were two beggars that day. We don’t know the others name. How about it being your name this morning. This could become your story?