This Isn't For You

Introduction

Mark 8:13–26 NKJV

13 And He left them, and getting into the boat again, departed to the other side. 14 Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread, and they did not have more than one loaf with them in the boat. 15 Then He charged them, saying, “Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” 16 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “It is because we have no bread.” 17 But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, “Why do you reason because you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive nor understand? Is your heart still hardened? 18 Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember? 19 When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments did you take up?” They said to Him, “Twelve.” 20 “Also, when I broke the seven for the four thousand, how many large baskets full of fragments did you take up?” And they said, “Seven.” 21 So He said to them, “How is it you do not understand?” 22 Then He came to Bethsaida; and they brought a blind man to Him, and begged Him to touch him. 23 So He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the town. And when He had spit on his eyes and put His hands on him, He asked him if he saw anything. 24 And he looked up and said, “I see men like trees, walking.” 25 Then He put His hands on his eyes again and made him look up. And he was restored and saw everyone clearly. 26 Then He sent him away to his house, saying, “Neither go into the town, nor tell anyone in the town.”

Pray

The title of my message today is, “This isn’t for you.” Look at your neighbor and say, “This isn’t for you.” Look at your neighbor and say.. “THIS ISN’T FOR YOU.”

Today’s sermon is about… you guessed it, cars!

I was browsing the internet one day in an auto repair group I follow and I saw a picture of code reader with a sticker on the back that said, “CLEARING THE CODE DOES NOT FIX THE CAR.” It was a comedic group as you can guess, those in the room like brother Kevin who have experience as mechanics know what I am talking about.

What if I told you, clearing the code does not fix the car?

Let me clarify:

Most modern cars are equipped with something called an OBDII system—On-Board Diagnostics. It is a built-in self-diagnostic system, designed to monitor the overall health of your vehicle. When something goes wrong, the system triggers a check engine light.

That light doesn’t tell you exactly what’s wrong—it tells you there is a problem, and it needs attention.

From this, point a mechanic can take a special code reader, plug it into this system, and a code will come out indicating where the mechanic needs to check.

This code, starting with something like P0 or P1 can either be generic or manufacturer-specific. The mechanic, however, has multiple options.. he can fix the issue and use the device to clear the code and make the light go away… or he can just clear the code … but here’s the issue CLEARING THE CODE DOES NOT FIX THE CAR.

And that’s exactly what a lot of people do at the altar.. they want a quick touch, want to feel better, but seldom stay long enough to get truly healed.. they come to clear the code, but never fix the car.

Background:

In Mark 8:22–26, we meet a man who was blind, and Jesus touched him—but not everything changed immediately. His healing came in stages. In fact, this is the only two-stage healing in the Gospels.. so what is it? Jesus couldn’t heal him in one shot.... or was it something more. Was it more about the man.. you know, He could’ve walked away after the first touch—but he didn’t. He waited for more.

To give a little context, Jesus had just fed the 5,000, and now they were traveling through different towns and villages. The disciples had just witnessed miracles, yet they still didn’t fully understand who Jesus was. Right before this healing, Jesus even rebukes them for having eyes but not seeing, ears but not hearing. Then suddenly, we get this scene in Bethsaida—where a blind man is brought to Jesus. It’s not random. This healing is more than physical—it’s symbolic. It reflects what Jesus had just said: some people see partially, some people don’t see at all, and some people—like this man—need to be touched again before they can truly see.

And that’s the tension we’re talking about today:

What if the touch you got was only partial because you weren’t ready to surrender all?

What if you’ve just been clearing the code... but the real issue is still under the hood?

Point 1: The Warning Light Was There

Mark 8:22 NKJV

22 Then He came to Bethsaida; and they brought a blind man to Him, and begged Him to touch him.

Who is they? In the Greek, the word here is ἔρχονται (erchontai) “they come” which is present middle indicative, 3rd person plural, indicating morphologically along with φέρουσιν (pherousin) “they bring” in the present active indicative, 3rd person plural, that we are talking about a group.. and when considering the semantic range (because you cannot just pull a greek word from a concordance and put it in place… which is the whole reason for formal vs dynamic equivalence..) looking at the hermeneutic context to see that in the Markan texts, when he is talking about the disciples, he explicitly names them.. therefore in this verse, the ones who brought the blind man were the crowd, not the disciples.. which is interesting when you look at the context of the larger narrative:

The disciples had just witnessed Jesus feeding the 5,000.. verse 14 says they have one loaf with them in the boat, yet verse 16 says, they reasoned they had no bread..

Mark 8:14–17 NKJV

14 Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread, and they did not have more than one loaf with them in the boat. 15 Then He charged them, saying, “Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” 16 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “It is because we have no bread.” 17 But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, “Why do you reason because you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive nor understand? Is your heart still hardened?

Will Jesus multiply a portion you profess to have with your mouth but reason with your heart that you don’t even have?

What does this have to do with an altar? Well, you have seen him do miracles in your life and bring you through, but have you become so jaded to it or so encompassed in your circumstance that you sit and reason, “I have no bread..” or basically, “nothing is going to get any better.”

In the narrative, Jesus is showing the nature of our eyes being closed. This is recounted by Romans 1:20

Romans 1:20–21 NKJV

20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

The man didn’t come on his own—they brought him. He didn’t cry out. He didn’t press through a crowd. Other people brought him to Jesus and asked for a touch—not transformation. That tells us something: they weren’t asking for a full work. They just wanted a moment. A little relief. A removal of the symptom, a clearing of the code.

Something was clearly wrong—a warning light was on. He was blind. But instead of bringing him to be changed, they begged Jesus for just enough… just a touch.

It’s no different today. We come to the altar when life starts flashing warnings. Something’s off, the pressure is up, our peace is down—and we just want Jesus to turn the light off. But like an OBDII system in your car, that check engine light is not the issue—it’s just letting you know there’s something deeper under the hood.

Say it with me, “CLEARING THE CODE DOES NOT FIX THE CAR.”

Some of us don’t want the truth—we want a quick touch. We’re not asking for God to fix the car , we just want Him to clear the code. And like the blind man, we come to Jesus with others pushing us there, but our hearts aren’t ready for full surrender.

“Just touch me, Jesus” is not the same as “transform me, Jesus.”

Notice what Jesus does in verse 23: He takes the man by the hand and leads him out of the village.

Mark 8:23 NKJV

23 So He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the town. And when He had spit on his eyes and put His hands on him, He asked him if he saw anything.

Sometimes, before God can heal what’s broken, He has to pull you out of what’s familiar. Never forget, the chains fell off of Paul and Silas before they did their situation.

That village might be your comfort zone, your coping mechanism, your circle of influence, or your pride. Jesus wasn’t interested in giving the man a moment. He wanted to give him a miracle—but not without movement.

Illustration: OBDII Diagnostics A car’s check engine light isn’t the issue—it’s a sign something deeper is off. Some of us come to God just wanting Him to turn the light off. We’re not asking Him to fix the root—we just want the symptom gone. Like the blind man, we say, “Just touch me, Jesus,” but we don’t realize He wants to lead us out of the village first (v. 23)—out of what’s familiar—before healing. Just like a mechanic, he brings your car to a place that is setup to actually repair it, understanding how the manufacturer designed it and that the light serves as a warning, but a fix is required, not just a clearing of the code.

The problem is, all too often, we pray for just enough clarity to function, but not to follow. We are satisfied clearing the code long enough so we don’t have to acknowledge the issue and can walk back into the world… the code in the life of the Christian is conviction, and the Holy Spirit serves as the onboard diagnostic system.. but we have to make a clear decision, are we out to clear the code or fix the car?

The fact is, most people choose clearing the code because they know the fix will require commitment..

Being healed and being whole are two different things.

Point 2: Healed Isn’t Always Whole

Mark 8:24 NKJV

24 And he looked up and said, “I see men like trees, walking.”

After Jesus’ first touch, the man gains partial sight. His world shifts from complete blindness to a distorted view. He’s no longer in the dark, but he still can’t see clearly. It wasn’t a complete healing—it was a partial one. This wasn’t a failure on Jesus’ part. It was intentional.

Jesus was demonstrating a deeper truth: you can be touched and still not be whole. You can experience a spiritual moment and still walk away incomplete. And the danger of partial healing is that it can convince you not to return.

This is where many believers live—between blindness and clarity. Between breakthrough and bondage. Between feeling better and actually being changed. We receive just enough to function but not enough to follow. We settle for blurred vision because we fear that the second touch might cost us everything.

Remember the 10 lepers?

Luke 17:11–19 NKJV

11 Now it happened as He went to Jerusalem that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. 12 Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. 13 And they lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” 14 So when He saw them, He said to them, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed. 15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, 16 and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan. 17 So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? 18 Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” 19 And He said to him, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.”

Romans 1:20–25 NKJV

20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. 24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

They possessed the bread, but reason their poverty in their hearts.

All ten received healing, but only one returned—and only one was made whole. The others were physically cleansed, but they missed the greater transformation. They received the gift but didn’t return to the Giver. They got the touch, but didn’t realize the touch was about being moved toward the transformation..

They didn’t realize that the situation itself would serve a larger purpose.. that the conviction was not for the removal of the symptom, but a call to being made whole by the transforming power of Jesus Christ. They cleared the code, but they didn’t fix the car.

Many people experience God’s power but never step into God’s presence. They stop short. They get healed of the symptom but never become whole in the soul. There’s a difference between being cleansed and being complete. One changes your circumstances; the other changes your character. One makes your life easier; the other makes your life obedient.

Jesus didn’t come to give us momentary relief. He came to restore our vision, our identity, and our purpose. And like the blind man in Mark 8, we must be willing to stay in His presence long enough to receive more than just the first touch. Too many of us leave the altar like the nine lepers—healed but unchanged. But there’s more. There’s always more for those who return.

Mark 8:23–24 NKJV

23 So He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the town. And when He had spit on his eyes and put His hands on him, He asked him if he saw anything. 24 And he looked up and said, “I see men like trees, walking.”

Jesus touches the man, and he receives partial vision. He sees, but not clearly. His world is no longer pitch black—but it's still blurry. He’s better, but he’s not whole.

This is intentional. It wasn’t because Jesus lacked power—it was because the process was part of the lesson. Jesus wanted to show us something: you can be touched and still be incomplete.

You came to the altar. You cried. You felt something shift. But a few days later, the same habits creep back in. The depression returns. The anger bubbles up again. And you ask yourself, “Did I even get healed?” but did you go to clear the light or to fix the situation?

Did you see just enough to walk away satisfied but didn’t stay long enough to be made whole? Don’t stop with the first touch. Don’t settle for partial sight. Don’t walk away when it is all still blurry, saying at least it isn’t like it was.. when Jesus wants you to let Him finish what He started.

Because partial vision can be dangerous.

The man said, “I see men… but they look like trees walking around.” In other words, I see figures—but I can’t discern faces I can’t tell people from problems. I can’t tell direction from distraction. That’s what happens when you walk with partial healing.

Some of us are leading with blurred vision.. parenting, leading homes, in relationships and marriages with half-healed hearts, trusting out of fear and praying out of habit instead of faith, still in complete possession of the bread from the last miracle, but reasoning in our hearts “I have no bread, it’s hopeless.” Anything you multiply by zero will still be zero.

We come to God to heal the relationship, to fix the finances, to remove the guilt.

But when the symptoms fade, so does our surrender.

Matthew 15:8–9 NKJV

8 ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. 9 And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ ”

Imagine taking your car to the shop. The mechanic runs the diagnostics. He tells you the issue. But before he can fix it—you grab the keys, thank him for his time, and drive off.

That’s what some of us do spiritually. We hear the Word. We feel conviction. We get emotional at the altar. But we don’t stay long enough for God to do the deep work.

That first touch? That was to get your attention. The second touch? That’s to transform

Jesus isn’t interested in temporary relief. He’s committed to total restoration.

The code is conviction.. On board diagnostics is the Holy Spirit, Jesus is the mechanic, and the shop … it’s the altar, or wherever it is you go to call out to Him.

Point 3: This Isn’t for you.

That’s what the world tries to say.. This healing and wholeness is for everyone else, just not you. That isn’t true.

We’ve talked a lot about warning lights, partial healing, and second touches. We’ve seen how the blind man in Mark 8 needed more than a moment—he needed a miracle. We’ve seen how ten lepers were healed, but only one was made whole. We’ve seen that clearing the code doesn’t fix the car.

Now here’s the part where I need to be honest with you.

This isn’t just for you. It’s for me. I’ll be the first to give the shame offering unto God. So many times, I myself go to the altar to clear the code.

The inerrant and infallible word of God says:

Hebrews 4:12 NKJV

12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

You see, I’m not exempt.. we are all in this together, but Paul reminds us of the true nature of God’s power

2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV

9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Conclusion

I surrender all..