ASK - January 17, 2021

By Pastor Chuck Ryan

“ASK”

 

Text: Mark 10:46-52

Thesis: God desires your presence! He enjoys having a conversation with you!

 

1. Bartimaeus had every right to approach Jesus even though many disapproved.

“Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more.” (vs 48a)

1. No one has control of the access to God.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

1. The crowds not only made it difficult to find God, but the religious leaders did as well.

Jesus said, “You shut the kingdom in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.” (Matthew 24:14)

1. Bartimaeus was a seeker of Christ. Christians are called to aid in others finding Christ and not to be a stumbling block.

 

1. Bartimaeus, “When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, ‘Jesus son of David, have mercy on me!”
2. Bartimaeus may have been physically blind but not Spiritually. His spiritual insight revealed four vital things.
3. He knew of Jesus’ presence.

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)

2. He knew of Jesus messianic lineage.

 The Angel Gabriel states, “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,” (Luke 1:32)

3. He knew Jesus was capable.

“Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:36)

4. He knew Jesus was merciful.

Jesus said, “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:36)

 

III. Jesus was more than willing to heal Bartimaeus!

1. “Jesus stopped and said, ‘Call him.”
2. Jesus was adamant about meeting with Bartimaeus!
3. Jesus held up the whole procession for one person.
4. God desires your presence! He enjoys having a conversation with you!
5. Jesus involved the crowd and the disciples in the invitation to Bartimaeus.
6. Ministry is a group sport! 😊
7. God desires everyone’s presence in bringing people to Christ. With God, it is “more the merrier”.
8. “Jesus asked him, ‘What do you want me to do for you”?
9. With the whole world watching Jesus made it clear he was interested in Bartimaeus.
10. God is interested in you!!! (Put your name in the blank)
11. So “ASK”!

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Mathew 7:7)

1. Prayer is a “two-way street”. The lines of communication go both ways.
2. Infuse power into your lives, situations, family, Church, and world by bringing God into the narrative. “Prayer is the Key to Power”

 

God desires your Presence…so “ASK”