Sunday, September 14, 2014

Blind Bart Sees (You'd Better Ask Somebody!) Luke 18


Luke 18: 35-43 Bart Sees: You'd Better Ask Somebody!

 *‘This chapter is really about praying without ceasing!

Story #1 Determined widow who wouldn’t not take no for an answer! (Ultimately...don’t we really want to know that Jesus hears us rather than an uncaring God/genie granting  greedy wishes?)

Story #2  Humble servant was honest in his prayer & Jesus respects him.

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35 As Jesus approached Jericho, a *blind man was sitting by the roadside *begging
36 When he *heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening
37 They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.”
➣ Do you even know when a shift has occurred?
➣ When Bart discovered why it was noisy (Jesus) ...he knew what to do
➣ Jesus need to be the talk of the town here in Madison!
38 He called out, “Jesus, *Son of David, have mercy on me!”
➣ He was prepared and a bit knowledgeable! (This is pre-braille) 
➣ Your cry out to prove that you know about Who He really is!

39 Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the *more, “*Son of David, have mercy on me!”
➣ Opposition! So?!!! What does this limit you? (Many stop right here!)
➣ You can’t let opposition outtalk your praise!
➣Bart pressed in and called Jesus by an insider’s term

40 Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, 41 “What do you want me to do for you?”

“Lord, I want to see,” he replied.
➣ The ones who served Jesus...know served Bart! “Bring him here!!)

42 Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your *faith has healed you.” 
➣ Faith?! Shown by his tenacious prayer...which yielded fruit & praise
➣ Bart left: work station, lot in life & expectations of him & followed.

43 Immediately he received his sight and *followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.
➣ Bart became apart of the entourage that followed Jesus into Jericho...and was likely there when Jesus talked with Zacchaeus


Challenge: 

➣ Recognize that something is shifting...and find out what and where it is!


Next Steps:

➣ Acquaint yourself with stories about Jesus by reading your bible
➣ Learn about prayer (Fourth Watch, Prayer Partners, Prayer Clinics)
➣ Find a fellow believer to prayer together with you this week

Remember: It was Jesus who taught us to pray faithfully & relentlessly!






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