Stretching Past Our Limitations

Stretching Past Our Limitations

Focal Text: New International Version (NIV) 46 Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” 50 Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. 51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” 52 “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.

What Are Limitations?

Limitation is defined as a limiting condition; restrictive weakness; lack of capacity; inability or handicap. New restrictions on online Bible sales, Christian Education. In April, China banned online Bible sales, with listings pulled from its major online marketplaces and local Amazon affiliate following government plans to retranslate the text to enhance “Chinese-style Christianity and theology.

handicap.

Key Facts 1. We all have limitations. 2. We all have suffered from our limitations.

In our text,

Bartimaeus’ Limitations:

He was Blind. 46 Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging. 49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” 51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” Jesus met many spiritually blind people-religious leaders, family members, people in the crowd. Though their eyes were fine, they could not see the truth about Jesus.

2. He suffered from Generational Curses. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”Blindness was considered a curse from God for sin 2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind? (), but Jesus refuted this idea when he reached out to heal the blind.

2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi,p who sinned,q this manr or his parents,s that he was born blind? (), but Jesus refuted this idea when he reached out to heal the blind.

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The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), . (), but Jesus refuted this idea when he reached out to heal the blind.

3. He was a Beggar. 46 Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging. Beggars were common sight in most towns. Because most occupations of that day required physical labor, anyone with a crippling disease or disability was at a severe disadvantage and was usually forced to beg, even though God’s laws commanded care for such needy people.

To stretch past your limitations, you must first focus on your strengths.

The only thing stopping you from reaching your goals and dreams are your limits. When you meet your limits, you feel resistance, and things you want seem harder to achieve. Whether it is fear, doubt, physical abilities or some other mental block, limitations can present a huge barrier to getting what you want.

Unfortunately, most people can’t work past their limits and give up. The distance you travel in reaching your dreams is dependent upon how good you are at overcoming this obstacle. Failure to push beyond your limits will leave your dreams unrealized. Work through them and you can make any dream or goal a reality.

Bartimaeus’ Strengths:

1. Hear 47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

At the northern gate sat a beggar, Bartimaeus by name. He heard the tramp of feet. He asked what was happening and who was passing. He was told that it was Jesus. There and then he set up an uproar to attract Jesus’ attention to him.

He was told that it was Jesus. There and then he set up an uproar to attract Jesus’ attention to him.

But blind Bartimaeus heard the report that Jesus was coming and boldly cried out. Bartimaeus had not seen Jesus miracles, but he responded in faith to what he had heard.

But blind Bartimaeus heard the report that Jesus was coming and boldly cried out. Bartimaeus had not seen Jesus miracles, but he responded in faith to what he had heard.

But blind Bartimaeus heard the report that Jesus was coming and boldly cried out. Bartimaeus had not seen Jesus miracles, but he responded in faith to what he had heard.

2. Shout 47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” There and then he set up an uproar to attract Jesus’ attention to him. To those listening to Jesus’ teaching as he walked, the uproar was an offence. They tried to silence Bartimaeus, but no one was going to take from him his chance to escape from his world of darkness, and he cried with such violence and persistence that the procession stopped, and he was brought to Jesus.

He knew precisely what he wanted—his sight. Too often our admiration for Jesus is a vague attraction. When we go to the doctor it is to have something specific dealt with. When we go to the dentist we do not ask to have any tooth extracted, but the one that is diseased. It should be so with us and Jesus. And that involves the one thing that so few people wish to face—self-examination. When we go to Jesus, if we are as desperately definite as Bartimaeus, things will happen.

There and then he set up an uproar to attract Jesus’ attention to him. To those listening to Jesus’ teaching as he walked, the uproar was an offence. They tried to silence Bartimaeus, but no one was going to take from him his chance to escape from his world of darkness, and he cried with such violence and persistence that the procession stopped, and he was brought to Jesus.

In coming to Jesus, we need Bartimaeus boldness.

In coming to Jesus, we need Bartimaeus boldness.

3. Walk 49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” 50 Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. When a distinguished Rabbi or teacher was on such a journey it was the custom that he was surrounded by a crowd of people, disciples and learners, who listened to him as he discoursed while he walked. That was one of the commonest ways of teaching.

That was one of the commonest ways of teaching.

When a distinguished Rabbi or teacher was on such a journey it was the custom that he was surrounded by a crowd of people, disciples and learners, who listened to him as he discoursed while he walked.

Jesus stood still; then Bartimaeus was suddenly throwing aside his garment to rise and meet Jesus. The changed attitude of the crowd-they began by deriding Bartimaeus but later encouraged him.

Jesus stood still; then Bartimaeus was suddenly throwing aside his garment to rise and meet Jesus. The changed attitude of the crowd-they began by deriding Bartimaeus but later encouraged him.

Jesus stood still; then Bartimaeus was suddenly throwing aside his garment to rise and meet Jesus. The changed attitude of the crowd-they began by deriding Bartimaeus but later encouraged him.

In Conclusion

In the end there is a precious touch. Bartimaeus may have been a beggar by the wayside but he was a man of gratitude. Having received his sight, he followed Jesus. He did not selfishly go on his way when his need was met. He began with need, went on to gratitude, and finished with loyalty—and that is a perfect summary of the stages of discipleship.

Stretch Past Your Limitations:

Find someone to help push you.

Take on a little more than you think you can.

Imagine reaching your next level.

Look at how others reached where you want to go.

Inspire yourself to action.

Work on your weaknesses.