I WOULD NOT BE DENIED

Sermon Notes, April 10, 2016

Rev. Dick Guizar

Rev. Guizar spoke to us Sunday.  His message was titled “I Would Not Be Denied,” and his scripture reference was Mark 10:46-52, the story of the blind beggar, Bartimaeus.

Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem from Galilee and a crowd was following Him.  They went through Jericho, and outside the town, Bartimaeus was begging by the roadside.  When he heard Jesus was coming, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many people rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he just shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” You might as well tell the sun not to shine than to tell a person in need who seeks a source of healing to be quiet.  Feeling that something good was about to happen, He would not be denied this once in a lifetime moment with Jesus.

Jesus stopped, and said, “Call him.”  Always remember, Jesus is never too busy, or too weary, to take time to hear and to help the lost, the broken, or the hurt – and all who call upon Him.  That is also the mission of the Church.  Jesus says to the Church: “Call them; the broken; the poor; and the lonely.”  Remember, He will stand up for people when no one else will.

Today, someone in our congregation or our sphere of influence may need us.  Someone may need a friend, or someone who will listen to them, or cry with them at the death of a loved one. Or laugh and encourage them even when all is well.

 Bartimaeus jumped up and came to Him.  Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?”   Bartimaeus didn’t give Him a long list of “things” – only one thing: “I want to see.”  And Jesus gave him his sight.  What is that “one thing” you want Jesus to help you with?

 I am reminded of the encounter of the woman at Jacob’s well (John 4).  She left her water pot and went back to the city and told all how she had just met a Man who knew all about her.  Leaving her water pot was symbolic of leaving her old way of living behind.  That’s exactly what Bartimaeus did when he “threw off his cloak.  Not only did he throw off the cloak, but verse 50 say, “He came to Jesus.” No one can come to the Lord Jesus and become a recipient of His saving grace without leaving behind the old way of life. (II Cor. 5:17). Jesus said, “Go. Your faith has healed you.”  Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.

We can learn a lot from Bartimaeus.  He recognized Jesus; he knew who He was and what He had been doing.  He called out to Him; and even though some people chided him for doing so, he continued to call out to Jesus.  He obeyed; he came, and when Jesus asked him what he wanted, he told Him.  There was no doubt.  After he received his sight, he followed Jesus. 

We can follow the example of Bartimaeus.  He became a living testimony that new life can be found in Jesus. Just as He called Bartimaeus, Jesus is calling you. We know who Jesus is and what He can do.  We can call out to Him, and trust that He will hear us.  We can obey Him and follow His directions by reading and doing His Word.  And we can follow Him, all the days of our life, without doubt.  As Christians, our ultimate goal is to make heaven our home.  I would not be denied!