Mark 10:46-52
Jericho was a place of battle - First battle of children of Israel
Jericho was a place of stronghold
Jericho was a place of curse
Jericho was a place of immorality
Jesus went in and came out... There was nothing of significant done by Jesus recorded in Jericho
Bartimaeus was sitting on the highway side.
He was a blind beggar. He had two evident problem.
Blind : No light. No direction. Darkness. Confusion. Frustration. No VISION
He was born with a problem...this was not by accident or coincidence
The one problem brought another problem
Beggar : Depending on others. On someone's hand. A low-class.
He was in the place of battle, stronghold & curse. He wanted to get out of his circumstances.
He didn't have an identity. He was known as the "son of Timaeus"
They knew him because of his dual problem
They labeled him
He heard of Jesus. Rom. 10:17 "Faith comes by hearing, hearing the Word of God."
He cried out. Faith demands the spoken words. It demands declaration & confession.
Faith : Believe with your heart & speak out of your mouth
He cried out for mercy to the Son of David (Messiah, Son of God)
Mercy: Don't give me what I deserve, give me what I need. Give me what I don't deserve.
They charged him to be quiet...he called out even more
YOUR VOICE OF FAITH MUST BE STRONGER & LOUDER THAN THE VOICES OF OPPOSITION & PEOPLE'S OPINION.
YOUR VOICE OF FAITH MUST BE STRONGER THAN THE VOICE OF CRITICISM.
I won't let you go until I get your attention and get what I need
And Jesus stood still...
Your voice of faith attracts the attention of Jesus.
Your life goes & grows to the level of your faith in God!
Jesus commanded him to be called...
GOD will cause the very people who are criticizing, your opposition, those who put you down, to pick you up to "ARISE" - To take you to the next level...
He casts off his garment - his old identity
He believed that if Jesus is calling me, then my life, my identity and my circumstances will change.
No more in the dark, blind, no direction, confusion, beggar...
Cast off by faith your old identity
Cast off what people are saying about you
FAITH DEMANDS ACTIONS
" You may have done what people said you have done but you are not who people say you are! YOU ARE WHO GOD SAYS YOU ARE."
He knew what he wanted... He was focus.
He had a desire and nothing would distract him from his destiny.
He was physically blind but spirituality he had a vision...
Prov. 29:18 "People perish without vision (revelation)"
FAITH is focus...perseveres...tenacity
FAITH has a vision
FAITH COMMANDS VICTORY
FAITH IS NOW... Now Faith!!! Heb. 11:1
Today is the day of salvation.
MY FAITH MAKES THE DIFFERENCE IN MY LIFE
Jesus said: Your faith has made you whole (complete)
He followed Jesus in the way.
