Text: Mark 10:46-52, Title: Blind Discipleship, Date/Place: NRBC, 4/27/08, PM
A. Opening illustration: tell about Gordon Dykes preaching
B. Background to passage: Mark continues with his discipleship theme, after several passages teaching about discipleship, he gives us an example. Bartimaeus is healed and saved in this passage, becoming a disciple of Jesus.
C. Main thought: in the text we will see four truths about looking at discipleship from a blind man
A. Not confused about Jesus (v. 47, 51)
1. Ol Bart uses a term, “Son of David,” that no one in the gospel of Mark had used. This was a term with huge messianic overtones. The Jews awaited their Messiah who would be a descendant of David according to Isaiah and Jeremiah. This descendant would lead in the manner of David, delivering the people and ruling in righteousness. And this blind man, who in one sense could see better than most, addressed Jesus as the Messiah, the anointed one. Then he also called him “Rabboni,” which was a term that was used in prayer to address God. It translates as “my Great Master,” and was only in rare occasions used for another human being. Bart knew who he was speaking to—both Christ and Lord.
2. Acts 2:36, John 17:3, 2 Tim 1:12,
3. Illustration: Mormons and other cults begin with a false Christology, O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing,
4. How essential it is for us to know in whom we have believed. And of course it is not enough to simply know about Him, but we must not neglect this aspect of the faith. There are certain components about Him that are crucial to the salvation He provides us. Far too much modern Christianity is unconcerned with correct doctrine. And thus we have failed to raise up disciples into the next generation. Be cautious when you hear people say things like, “it really doesn’t matter what we believe, we just need to…” We must be clear on who Jesus is, and insist on Him being known as who He really. All Christian messages center upon Him. But we can’t assume that everyone believes like us. He is the Alpha and Omega, He is eternal, He exists in a hypostatic union, He is virgin born, He is sinless, He is the brightness of the glory of God and the express image of his person, He is the fullness of the Godhead bodily. This has implications toward the fame of His Name. Christ desires to manifest His true value and worth in all its glory.
B. Not stopped by opposition (v. 48)
1. Here we see the religious crowd effect. A bunch of religious people get together with their own agenda’s, and in effect they shut out those that really need help. But my point is not the crowds necessarily, but the fact that the more they tried to silence Bart, the more he cried out. This bears out a great truth—genuine faith is not thwarted by opposition. When suffering and persecution come, the truly born again, although they may falter for a season, will bear up under pain for Christ’s sake.
2. Matt 5:10-16, 2 Cor 6:4-10, Rom 8:31-39, 1 Cor 15:2,
3. Illustration: the tradition of singling out visitors in a worship service, I think of David Livingstone, the pioneer missionary to Africa, who walked over 29,000 miles. His wife died early in their ministry and he faced stiff opposition from his Scottish brethren. He ministered half blind. His kind of perseverance spurs me on. As I run, I remember the words in his diary: Send me anywhere, only go with me. Lay any burden on me, only sustain me. Sever me from any tie but the tie that binds me to Your service and to Your heart. Joseph Stowell, John G. Paton, a nineteenth-century missionary to the South Seas met opposition to leaving his home in Scotland and going to preach to the cannibalistic people of the New Hebrides Islands. A well-meaning church member moaned to him, “The cannibals, the cannibals! You’ll be eaten by the cannibals!” Without hesitation, Paton replied, I confess to you that if I can live and die serving my Lord Jesus Christ, it makes no difference to me whether I am eaten by cannibals or by worms;
4. We must guard against our traditions, relationships, rules, etc. putting up unnecessary barriers to people coming to Christ. Again, one of the things that we have erred on in the past, and must be clear about, is that the caveat to eternal security is false professions. And this is why it is so scary to forsake the faith for any reason, to drop out of church for any reason, to fail to practice your faith for any reason. It could indicate that you never really believed. True believers should embrace suffering and shine for Jesus through it. And this is where we shine the best—during persecution.
C. Not hindered by stuff (v. 50)
1. Jesus stood still—even facing the cross soon, he still heard the cries of the needy and stopped. When Jesus called Bart to come, he threw down his coat. It was a large garment that would have been a mat for him, as well as protection from cold. This would have probably been his most valued possession, crucial to his survival—and he cast it aside for Jesus.
2. Matt 13:44-46, Mark 10:21,
3. Illustration: the funeral this week really set me back from my schedule, On April 21st, in the year 1519, the Spanish explorer Hernando Cortez sailed into the harbor of Vera Cruz, Mexico. He brought with him only about 600 men, and yet over the next two years his vastly outnumbered forces were able to defeat Montezuma and all the warriors of the Aztec empire, making Cortez the conqueror of all Mexico. How was this incredible feat accomplished, when two prior expeditions had failed even to establish a colony on Mexican soil? Here’s the secret. Cortez knew from the very beginning that he and his men faced incredible odds. He knew that the road before them would be dangerous and difficult. He knew that his men would be tempted to abandon their quest and return to Spain. And so, as soon as Cortez and his men had come ashore and unloaded their provisions, he ordered their entire fleet of eleven ships destroyed. His men stood on the shore and watched as their only possibility of retreat burned and sank. And from that point on, they knew beyond any doubt there was no return, no turning back. Nothing lay behind them but empty ocean. Their only option was to go forward, to conquer or die. www.rebelution.com, The mark of a saint is not perfection, but consecration. A saint is not a man faultess, but a man who has given himself without reserve to God.
4. We must guard against busyness in our lives to the point that we don’t care for others, hurting people, family, church members, SS class people, etc. Remember that your schedule is really not that important, and God knows that when he sends hurting people your way. What is it that determines the limits your level of commitment to Christ? Is it a possession? A tradition? Others expectations? An outside circumstance? Your job? Your hobbies? As a disciple of Jesus, we should count all things as expendable for the Kingdom purposes, should that be necessary. All our most treasured items, possessions, relationships, etc, are tools in the hands of Jesus for the furtherance of the gospel and the glory of Christ, but many times we turn them into the thing that hinders us from his service. We are called to sell all we have, cast off garments, hate our families, forsake our possessions, consider our lives as sheep to be slaughtered, and count all things a loss for the excellency of knowing Christ. Throw off some stuff!
D. Not looking for quick fix (v. 52)
1. In one sense he was looking for a quick fix in that he wanted to see right then. However, it wasn’t just, fix my eyes, and then back to my own merry way. After Jesus gave him his sight, he went from sitting beside the road, to following Jesus in the way. This is the mark of discipleship that Mark and Jesus were saying was essential to genuine faith—following the Master.
2. Matt 4:19, 10:38, John 10:4-5, 27, 12:26, Rev 14:4, Heb 3:6, Heb 3:14, John 8:31, 1 John 2:19
3. Illustration: Webster’s Dictionary: to follow: To go after or behind; to walk, ride or move behind, but in the same direction. To imitate; to copy; as, to follow a pattern or model; to follow fashion. To embrace; to adopt and maintain; to have or entertain like opinions; to think or believe like another; as, to follow the opinions and tenets of a philosophic sect. To obey; to observe; to practice; to act in conformity to. To pursue as an object of desire; to endeavor to obtain. To adhere to; to honor; to worship; to serve. To be led or guided by. Follower: One that takes another as his guide in doctrines, opinions or example; one who receives the opinions, and imitates the example of another; an adherent; an imitator. hutspa—the intensity of following a rabbi (no questions), A missionary society wrote to David Livingstone and asked, “Have you found a good road to where you are? If so, we want to know how to send other men to join you.” Livingstone wrote back, “If you have men who will come only if they know there is a good road, I don’t want them. I want men who will come if there is no road at all.”
4. Many begin to follow Jesus so he will deliver them from cancer, or pain, or save their marriage, etc. And when this either does or doesn’t happen they revert back to the default setting in your life. We treat God like that little tire changing tool kit in the trunk of your car (or behind the seat if you are a real man and have a truck). But contrary to practice, we are called to follow with endurance. In fact, scripture bears out that if one does not follow to the end, they are not genuinely saved. True believers may stray, but they will return. And we should be afraid for them if they don’t. Following Jesus is a long term commitment. It never ends after a trip to the aisle, praying “the prayer,” and being baptized, unless you are subsequently martyred for your faith due to your association with Christ. To be a disciple is to follow Jesus in the way, to go and die with him (John 11:16). Whether or not He fixes! Whether or not you feel like it! Whether things are going good or bad in your life! Whether its Monday or Thurs! Follow Jesus!
• Closing illustration: Fanny Crosby wrote over 9000 hymns in her life, played some of them at Presidents’ funerals.
• Songs like, "All the Way My Savior Leads Me"--bef. 1875, music by Robert Wadsworth Lowry
• "Blessed Assurance"--1873, music by Phoebe Knapp
• "The Bright Forever"--1871, music by Hubert P. Main
• "Close to Thee"--1874, music by Silas J. Vail
• "Jesus Is Tenderly Calling You Home"--1883, music by George C. Stebbins
• "I Am Thine, O Lord"--bef. 1875, music by W. Howard Doane
• "My Savior First of All"--1891, music by John R. Sweney
• "Near the Cross"--bef. 1869, music by W. Howard Doane
• "Pass Me Not, O Gentle Saviour"--1868, music by W. Howard Doane
• "Praise Him, Praise Him"--bef. 1869, music by Chester G. Allen
• "Redeemed, How I Love to Proclaim It"--bef. 1882, William J. Kirkpatrick
• "Rescue the Perishing"--1869, music by W. Howard Doane
• "Safe in the Arms of Jesus"--1878, music by W. Howard Doane
• "Saviour, More Than Life to Me"--1875, music by W. Howard Doane
• "Tell Me the Story of Jesus"--bef. 1880, music by John R. Sweney
• "To God Be the Glory"--1875, music by W. Howard Doane
She was never bitter about her disability. At the age of eight she wrote these verses about her condition:
Oh what a happy soul I am,
Although I cannot see;
I am resolved that in this world
Contented I will be.
How many blessings I enjoy,
That other people don’t;
To weep and sigh because I’m blind,
I cannot, and I won’t."
She later remarked:
It seemed intended by the blessed providence of God that I should be blind all my life, and I thank him for the dispensation. If perfect earthly sight were offered me tomorrow I would not accept it. I might not have sung hymns to the praise of God if I had been distracted by the beautiful and interesting things about me.
She also once said, "when I get to heaven, the first face that shall ever gladden my sight will be that of my Savior!"
She composed her poems and hymns entirely in her mind and then dictated them to someone else. She was said to work mentally on as many as twelve hymns at once before dictating them all out.
A. Recap
B. Invitation to commitment
Additional Notes
• Is Christ Exalted, Magnified, Honored, and Glorified?
