This I Believe

Ed Newton @ Community Bible Church

1. Mark 10:46-52
1. 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. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"  Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"  Jesus stopped and said, "Call him."  So they called to the blind man, "Cheer up! On your feet! He's calling you." Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.   "What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked him. The blind man said, "Rabbi, I want to see."   "Go," said Jesus, "your faith has healed you." Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.
1. He Began to Shout
1. He got undignified.
2. He didn’t listen when people tried to stop him.
2. The Spirit of Desperation
1. Gas story.
1. Ed decided that he could make it to the next city with his gas tank on E. So he finally stopped at a gas station and realized that he had forgotten his wallet. So he searched his phone for someone with that city's area code to see if the guy would meet him. He wasn’t even sure who the person was but he was desperate and had no shame.
2. Intersection of Helplessness and Hopelessness
1. Helplessness
2. Hopelessness
3. The singleminded desire.
1. Jesus Son of David
1. 2 Samuel 7
1. When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men, but my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.’ 
2. He asked for mercy
1. Mercy is not getting.
1. He asked to not receive something that he felt like he deserved.
1. Unfortunately there is a sentiment that if someone is suffering, it’s because of something he/she did. But rain comes from everyone.
2. Sometime we ask out of sense of guilt and not need.
3. He asked even though Jesus was busy.
1. Mark 10:32-34
2. Jesus was on the way to His crucifixion.
4. Surrendered His Dependencies
1. v. 50 Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.
1. Blind people are very calculated.
2. Every step matters.
3. A blind person wouldn't be able to find something if he just threw it aside.
1. Bartimaeus had faith that he either wouldn't need it anymore or he wouldn't need help finding it because he'd be able to see!
2. v. 51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.
1. Jesus is all knowing.
2. Bartimaeus was clearly blind.
3. Jesus COULD HAVE healed him without any discussion
1. Sometimes we just need to say things out outloud!
5. What would I say if I had that moment?