Trust And Opportunity Series

Trustbusters: Guarding Against Choices that Ruin Relationships

Sermon #5 - Trust and Opportunity

Mark 10:46-52

A sermon by Dr. Ken Pell (http://www.potsdam-naz.org/sermons/mark.10.46-52.htm)

Sermon Objective: We influence friends and acquaintances through example. As we choose to follow Christ into a deeper walk others can take notice of the ongoing transformation and be drawn to him.

>> Begin with a story of someone who whet my appetite to follow Jesus. Ex: Mark Johnson lived as a simple yet profound Christian witness during my adolescent years in Conroe, Texas.<<

That is why I say:

Some people are just waiting to see faith make a difference in the lives of Christ’s followers. They want to see it work. They are not asking too much. As God’s Spirit is allowed to inform and transform it builds trust in those watching. If we live in such a manner as to undermine God’s values and promises it erodes trust.

In Mark 9 Jesus began to show us that discipleship expresses itself through relationships. In chapter 10 that theme is extended into more complex relationships that include elements of society. Mark 9:50 serves as a good transition between the two … it hits the nail on the head. Mk 9:50 “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with each other.”

We have already looked at

“Trust and Marriage” (Mark 10:1-12)

“Trust and Children” (Mark 10:13-16)

“Trust and Possessions” (Mark 10:17-27)

“Trust and Opportunity” (Mk. 10:46-52)

These issues go far in enforcing or destroying the world’s confidence in us as the People of God. When they are handled with wisdom, compassion and obedience, trust is established. When they are handled in a selfish and carnal manner trust is eroded.

This week we will look at Mark 10: 46-52

Mk 10:46 Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (that is, the Son of Timaeus), was sitting by the roadside begging.

Mk 10:47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Mk 10:48 Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Mk 10:49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.”

Mk 10:50 Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.

Mk 10:51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”

Mk 10:52 “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.

INTRO:

We influence friends and acquaintances through example. As we choose to follow Christ into a deeper walk others can take notice of the ongoing transformation and be drawn to him.

WE INFLUENCE THROUGH EXAMPLE.

Would you say that with me?

WE INFLUENCE THROUGH EXAMPLE.

Jericho is between Jordan and Jerusalem; fifteen miles from Jerusalem to be more precise.

This was a perfect place for begging. The commercial traffic made it a prime location.

This was the perfect time for begging. The upcoming feasts and the tender hearts of the people made this a prime time of the year… similar to Christmas in America from that perspective.

Jesus happens to be one of the many traveling the road that day … a mere coincidence? I doubt it. Jesus, too, was on his way to Jerusalem for the Feast of Unleavened Bread and the Passover which followed immediately afterwards. Little did anyone know that Jesus, the Passover lamb, would perform his last recorded healing miracle on the day in question.

With all that was on Jesus’ mind he took time to focus on a blind beggar. I notice Jesus “stopped.” He is making a beeline for Jerusalem but he just stops. I have never done a study of this in the Gospels but I can think of another time or two that Jesus stopped what he was doing … each time something significant, something exciting, something life-giving happened.

Jesus stopped the whole procession in order to give him his sight back. Jesus’ stopping said clearly, “You count.” And that is one of the deep, permanent needs of humanity—the need for respect, the assurance that we “count,” that we are not just merely a number…one of many on the road.

…and here He comes…

…He may never come this way again…

…this was Bartimaeus’ big chance.

… and Jesus stops for him!

“What do you want me to do for you?”

It is the same question Jesus asked James and John just verses earlier. Yet the results, the answer, set a whole different series of events in motion. What a contrast between faith and ambition.