Time to Change

Mark 10:46-52

Prayer & Subject

Background

When God gave me the scripture, my first step was to begin research

Upon researching the text, the difficulties that come as a result of blindness stood out

Being unable to see the Sun, my Wife, my Dog, Drive my car, etc.

You could still, with difficulty; cook, work, surf the internet, etc.

I learned, that in our time most blind people lead “normal” lives

Despite my research, the idea of being blind still creates unexplainable fear

I became more thankful for my vision, something I often took for granted

Even with vision aids, you ought to be thankful that you can see

It was when I reached the conclusion of thankfulness that God asked me a question

How Long Have I Been Blind?

We have talked about those who are physically blind, but what about us who can see

While we cannot see, we all can be afflicted with different blindness, you can have;

Spiritual Blindness, Mental Blindness, and Emotional Blindness

Spiritual Blindness

You are unable to discern, perceive, or hear God’s voice (God is silent)

Because you fear what people think, you work without hearing him

So many people are Spiritually blind the Church has become universally crippled

“Not by might, not by power, but by SPIRIT sayeth the Lord.” WE NEED HIM

Mental Blindness

A mental block exists within you about one or a series of topics/ or problems

People are unable to help you because you cannot articulate your problem

You become depressed because you are trapped with a problem you cannot solve

“He that keepeth his mind stayed on Jesus; he will keep that mind…” MINDSET

Emotional Blindness

Your have numbed yourself to your own feelings and those of others

Your past hurts cause you not to trust people, causing you to shut people out

People turn their backs, after you shut them out, causing anger and more mistrust

“We have not a High Priests which cannot be touched…” ITS OK, FEEL AGAIN

Now that we know, the blindnesses that we may suffer from.

I ask the question, HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN BLIND?

It is easy to say amen when the preacher is talking about somebody else or themselves but when you have to turn the finger to yourself, can you be honest

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN BLIND?

Mark 10:46-52

I have to move on.

The story of Bartimaeus is told in three of the Four Gospels, Matthew, Mark, and Luke.

Jesus is departing Jericho with a gathering of people around him, as was often the case

His 12 disciples and the multitude, who followed him place to place

The large contingent of people both inside and outside Jericho, waiting on him

There are two kinds of people in this world;

People who want to do for you and people who want you to do for them

You have to be careful that you keep the right balance of people in your life

Having too much of anything can be bad for you

Among them was Bartimaeus, begging on the side of the highway in desperation

The modern tools that makes vision impaired living possible did not exist

Clocks, watches, seeing-eye dogs, etc.

He is depending on people around him to supply his basic needs

Food

Drink

Money

He is asking for help from people he cannot help themselves, have you been there

It is in these moments that we must lean and depend on God

As he is sitting on the highway side, shaking his cup, he hears Jesus approaching

He did not care about the opinions of the people around him or those around Jesus

You have to stop begging for change and start begging for change

He wanted his change no matter the cost

If he had to embarrass himself, it was worth it

You have to become so tired of your situation that staying the same is no longer an option

They told him to be quiet and he hollered even louder.

And from among the screams of everyone else, Christ heard him and stood still

Neighbor, It’s Time to Change...

Conclusion

Change begins to take place, because Christ beckons the man to be brought forth

The man leaps up and throws aside his garment to be guided to Jesus

You cannot go into the next season wearing clothes from the last season

If any man be in Christ, he is a New Creature

Old things are passed away and behold ALL THINGS become new

When you step into the newness of God, you have to rid yourself of your past

It is Time to Change;

Old Relationships

Old Friendships

Old Jobs

Old Ways of Thinking

In this next season, you are under assignment to come out of the decay of your last season

God needs you to kill off your past, so you do not get stuck there, Lot’s wife

People preach Bartimaeus receiving his sight, but I came to tell you, it is time to change

Come out of those dingy dirty clothes from yesterday

God is at the bottom of the stairs waiting on you to come dressed for what’s next

You may be sick right now, but you can dress healed

You may be broke right now, but you can dress rich

You may be unemployed right now, but you can dress like you got a job

I’m not being fake because I got faith

You have to believe God for the change you want to see come to pass

When you finally cast aside your past, God can provide you Vision for your future

Altar Call & Benediction

Zechariah 3:7