What is holding you back?

We are continuing our series this morning Summer Stories.

This four-week series will explores the lives of four people who had profound, life-changing encounters with Jesus. We will connect their stories to other modern-day individuals who have had similar experiences.

We can all have life changing event with Christ. It just matter if you want to experience it or not.

If you have your bible this morning go head a turn to Mark 10:46-52. if you do not have it you can follow along on the screen in a few minutes.

Like i shared in kids corner this morning. We will be looking at a man that was blinded that Jesus healed. Before we look at this story and what we have can learn from it. I have a question for you. So think for a moment.

What is holding you back this morning?

from living the life you want. from freedom. from finances. What is the hold you back from following Christ. Last week we look at the call that each and everyone of us has. We have have two call one to follow Christ the most important. The second is the call to service him. To share what he has done for you.

So what holding you back this morning? Fear of failure. fear of people not like you, Physical pain. Let take a look at what was holding back this man that Jesus healed.

Mark 10:46–52 CSB

46 They came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a large crowd, Bartimaeus (the son of Timaeus), a blind beggar, was sitting by the road. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 Many warned him to keep quiet, but he was crying out all the more, “Have mercy on me, Son of David!” 49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called the blind man and said to him, “Have courage! Get up; he’s calling for you.” 50 He threw off his coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus. 51 Then Jesus answered him, “What do you want me to do for you?” “Rabboni,” the blind man said to him, “I want to see.” 52 Jesus said to him, “Go, your faith has saved you.” Immediately he could see and began to follow Jesus on the road.

Bartimaeus

He is called Bartimaeus the son of Timaeus. Some think that his might signify that he was the son of a blind man. If his father was true blind to this would have made Bartimaeus situation much worse. You see in those day any that had something wrong was look down upon because they thought that sin was in their life and they had not asked forgiveness yet.

Bartimaeus called out as Jesus passed by, requesting healing. He calls out to the Son of David. A little side note this is the first time in Mark that someone calls Jesus the Son of David. Bartimaeus most likely used this has a political title.

People told him to quiet

This people, other on lookers. Didn’t think he need to call out to Jesus because he was not worth the time. By this time Jesus had grow popularity and Batimaeus calling out was not socially accepted. So they wanted him keep quiet but he did not care.

He called out anyways

He did not care what others thought he should do. He did it anyways. He was willing to give up whatever he had to get Jesus attention.

Jesus healed him

Because of his faith. You see Bartimaeus did care what other were telling him to do. He want see to see him. He wanted Jesus to touch him. He wanted to see. Bartimaeus had faith in that Jesus could and would heal him. he then followed Jesu on the road..

What does this mean for us? Early I ask you want was holding you back this morning.

What will you do to get rid of what holding you back?

Last week I shared part of my story again with you guys. This part of being held back set strong with me. For years I thought I was not good enough to preach. You see I self diagnosed dyslexia. I stumble over words. I was never the person to read out load. In fact most of the time I never said anything when I was in a bible study or in a meeting for that matter. I also was never good at school it really was a struggle for me to get through classes. In fact, I do not have a university degree at all. So to be a pastor in the south you have to do to seminary (bible college) and have a master in it. I can do that. This is what held me back for so many years. I never was able to fulfill the call from God because I thought I couldn’t do it.

When I finally got passed me doing it and allow God to heal me. Allowed God to use me the way I was and that I did not have to change. He was able to start using me for his purpose. For the calling he had on my life. I had to turn over all the negative thought and ask God to heal me and use me.

Like this

What do you need to ask God to heal this morning?

There is something that you can all ask for weather it physical or mental. Is there anything that you might be snuggling with?

Profound healings take place when Jesus is near

Just like Bartimaeus did

All you have to do is turn to Jesus and call out. Do not let anyone tell you to be quit.

Just like Bartimaeus did.

Call out has load has you can. If I would have leasoned to some of the people around me I would not be hear doing this. You never know what God has instore for your if you give over whatever is holding you back.

What will you give up this morning?

the thing that is holding you back. what do you need to turn over to him? What do you need to call out to him and ask for help to ask for healing.