When Jesus Stopped (Mk. 10:46-52) (Part 7)

Conclusion:

May you be a person whose faith endures and never quits. Why? Jesus will stop for faith that will not.

• Jesus will stop for faith that will not be silent.
• It will not be silent about any lack but will admit it.
• It will not be silent about the Lord but will worship Him.
• Bartimaeus called Jesus “Son of David.”
• Bartimaeus called Jesus “Rabboni.”
• Jesus will stop for faith that will not be satisfied.
• It will not be satisfied with yesterday's experience.
• It will not be satisfied with another's experience.
• It will not be satisfied with cessationist excuses.
• Jesus will stop for faith that will not be sidetracked.
• Faith that will not stop will not be sidetracked by the magnitude of the need.
• Bartimaeus was blind; he had no sight, therefore he groped around and tripped up often.
• Bartimaeus was a beggar: he had no livelihood, therefore he begged in order to eke out an existence.
• Bartimaeus was a bother: he had no direction, therefore, wherever he went he had to be led. Not only that, but he wouldn't be quiet when he was told to be.
• Faith that will not stop will not be sidetracked by any insensitivity from the crowd.
• Isn't it telling that it was religious people who told the man with the most urgent need to be quiet?
• Faith that will not stop will not be sidetracked by the allure of worldly comfort.
• Bartimaeus left his cloak behind.

Chorus: “Reach out and touch the Lord as He goes by.

              You'll find He's not too busy to hear your heart's cry.

              He's passing by this moment, your need to supply.

              Reach out and touch the Lord as He goes by.”

Your faith had a starting point, but is your faith still in motion? Are you still following Jesus? Has inertia gotten the best of your early, quick start? It is never too late to end faith's coffee break and get back to the privileged work of following. Jesus stops for a faith that will not.

Wherever you are, make an altar.  Bend before the Lord. By putting your body in motion, you are declaring that you are putting your faith in motion too.

• Come, believing that Jesus will notice your audacious, persistent faith.
• Come, believing that Jesus will not pass you by.
• Come, having something specific you will ask Jesus to do for you.