What Would You Have Me Do For You? Series

The folks in James’ church had gotten distracted by the potential of wealthy people.

Now, wealth isn’t bad, and having money isn’t an evil thing. But if we allow earthly attractions like wealth/success/ excitement to distract us… it will be hard for Jesus to help us accomplish His goal in our lives.

ILLUS: I just visited with a couple this past week. The husband lamented that we haven’t had enough money yet to build that new sanctuary we’ve prayed and dreamed about. But then, he told of how didn’t really bother him right now, because he was pleased about the ways God has been working in our congregation. He was excited at the number of people who’s lives have been changed and at the number of ministries (for a church of our size) that we have here.

What that man was telling me was this: He knew God would supply the new sanctuary when God was ready for us to have it… but that didn’t bother him, because he knew God was doing mighty things in this church.

He realized that God wasn’t into building “OUR KINGDOM”… but His.

Now, when we get used to the idea that God should build up OUR kingdom (rather than His) there’s all kinds of things that can distract us from God’s priorities in our lives

· I’ve seen Christians who were willing to attend churches where they knew the doctrine was questionable… but they went because they wanted to go to an “exciting church”

· I’ve seen people abandon their families because they wanted a more satisfying mate.

· I’ve seen people take jobs where they knew they would be asked to do things that would undermine their relationship with God… but they wanted the success that job would supply.

And almost without exception, those who seek out those kind of “light bulbs” in their lives will often justify it by saying it was God’s will they

Ø go to the questionable church

Ø or leave their families

Ø or take that job that undermines their Christianity.

They got distracted because their relationship with Jesus was all about THEIR kingdom… not His.

So, I believe Jesus asked that question: “What would you have me do for you?” for the benefit of the crowd.

But I also believe He asked the question because it was a question the blind men needed to answer.

ILLUS: Any good counselor will tell you that one of the best questions he can ask people - who come for counseling - is this:

“Why are you here?” or

“What do you want me to do for you in this counseling session?”

Now, why would a counselor ask that question? Because the people in his office may not know what they want done. All they know is that they have a problem and this guy is supposed to be able to fix problems. But they may not really know what they really want done.

And so, the counselor (if he doesn’t clarify the issue) may end trying to fix something they don’t want fixed, or he may try to fix their problem in a way they won’t accept, or won’t cooperate.

And so, the wise counselor has to define what this person really wants done.

I don’t know what these blind men expected of Jesus when they first cried out for mercy, but I do know that when they’d ask passersby for “mercy” they were usually seeking alms. People passed by and it was hit or miss as to whether mercy was to be found. Maybe people would give them money. Maybe bread. Maybe (all too often) nothing.