Sermon Central
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A Blind Man With 20/20 Vision
Contributed by Rev. Timothy Porter on Aug 22, 2014 (message contributor)
Summary: Knowing how to overcome being blind, even though you can see you are still blind ...learn to spiritually
A Blind Man with 20/20 Vision
Introduction:
I have heard it said, "That there is no one so blind as he who refuses see". I suppose that is true, for there are many people walking around in the world today who's eyes work just fine, yet they cannot seem to see that the way they are living their lives will eventually lead them into a place where they do not want to be.
I want to tell about a man who was totally blind he was blind as a bat . Him name is Bartimaeus. He could see nothing with the physical eyes because he was born that way, but he could see things on a spiritual level that others were blind to. This man was blind, but he had 20/20 spiritual vision.
As I look out over this crowd this morning/evening I am reminded again of the truth that not everyone who came in here today can see. Oh, your eyes work just fine. You didn't have to rely on a white cane, a seeing eye dog, or someone to assist you in the church house this morning. However, there are those among us that simply can not see. Though they can see the everything around them, they cannot see the truth of God's love and plan for their lives. Why? They are blind spiritually.
With Gods help and Him doing the work, I am going to show you in this passage that Jesus is who you need and all you need. I believe that if we dig into Gods Word He will help restore your spiritual vision and will help you to make the decision for Jesus that you need to make. All I ask from you is that you allow the Lord the opportunity to speak to your heart and that you respond as He leads you today. If you will do this, then you can leave this place in a right relationship with God and leave with 20/20 vision, at least spiritually. Please join with me for a few minutes as we look together at: A Blind Man With 20/20 Vision.
*** STAND *** READ *** PRAY ***
There is a few things I want you to see about this blind man and his way of life and how you can apply it to your life and see clear as a bell.
I.) His Pitiful Condition (v. 46)
A. He Was Blind
Apparently, this condition was one with which he had been born. Blindness was a common condition in Bible times, because of various diseases and sanitary conditions.
B. He Was a Beggar
Because of his Physical condition Bartimaeus was prevented from finding and performing a job in order to earn a living. In that day, there were no welfare programs or charitable institutions who would help him. There was no social security or other government programs to which he could turn. Bartimaeus was totally dependent upon the generosity of others in order to survive. His was a pitiful and wretched condition!
C. In his condition
Bartimaeus is a good portrait of every person who is outside Jesus and lost in sin. Like Bartimaeus, the lost person is spiritually blind, They are blind to their condition, to their sin and to their impending eternal doom. Only Jesus can open your eyes! Like Bartimaeus, the lost person is also a spiritual beggar. They can do nothing, and they have nothing within themselves to produce salvation. They are simply sitting by the road side begging as Jesus passes by.
II.) His Persistent Cry (v. 47-49)
Ë Even though Bartimaeus was blind, he was able to see things that others all around him, who had their vision, could not see. In these verses, Bartimaeus proved that even though he was blind, he still possessed 20/20 spiritual vision.
A. He Recognized Who Jesus Was
Apparently, Bartimaeus had heard about the miracles preformed by Jesus. He must have heard about the lepers, the lame, the demon possessed, even the dead that Jesus had touched and made whole again. As he sat by the highway, he heard the travelers as they talked to each other. He had heard about Jesus and he knew that what Jesus had done for others, He could do for Bartimaeus!
Ë This is the first step in coming to Jesus for your own salvation. You must recognize who He is and know that what He has done in the lives of others, He can do for you. Our duty is to accept what the Bible teaches about Jesus. When we do, we can be certain of salvation - Romans 10:9 (NKJV) 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
