MAKE A DIFFERENCE MOVING FORWARD
Get Used to Different! #7
Pastor Dennis Clanton
Woodland Church
Sunday, September 18, 2022
(1 Corinthians 1:30, Message) “Everything that we have—right thinking and right living, a clean slate and a fresh start—comes from God by way of Jesus Christ.”
(Mark 10:46–52, NLT) “Then they reached Jericho, and as Jesus and his disciples left town, a large crowd followed him. A blind beggar named Bartimaeus (son of Timaeus) was sitting beside the road. When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus of Nazareth was nearby, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” “Be quiet!” many of the people yelled at him. But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” When Jesus heard him, he stopped and said, “Tell him to come here.” So they called the blind man. “Cheer up,” they said. “Come on, he’s calling you!” Bartimaeus threw aside his coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus. “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked. “My Rabbi,” the blind man said, “I want to see!” And Jesus said to him, “Go, for your faith has healed you.” Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus down the road.”
(Hebrews 6:3, NLT) “God willing, we will move forward to further understanding.”
1. KNOW WHERE YOU ARE IN LIFE.
“Bartimaeus … was sitting beside the road.
(Genesis 3:8–10, NLT) “When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the Lord God among the trees. Then the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” He replied, “I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.”
(Psalm 139:23–24, NLT) “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.”
A. Think and pray through your life story.
B. Do you feel stuck or sidelined in life?
C. Who do you need to talk to?
“Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
2. CAREFULLY CHOOSE WHO YOU LISTEN TO.
“Be quiet!” many of the people yelled at him.
But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” When Jesus heard him, he stopped and said, “Tell him to come here.”
“Cheer up,” they said. “Come on, he’s calling you!”
(Hebrews 2:1, NLT) “So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it.”
A. Avoid the loud shouts of the crowd.
B. Jesus loves you.
3. MAKE A BIG LIST OF WHAT YOU WANT AND TALK WITH JESUS .
(Revelation 3:20, NLT) “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.”
“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked.
(Mark 10:36–37, NLT) “What is your request?” he asked. They replied, “When you sit on your glorious throne, we want to sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left.”
Bartimaeus threw aside his coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus. “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked. “My Rabbi,” the blind man said, “I want to see!” And Jesus said to him, “Go, for your faith has healed you.” Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus down the road.”
A. Is it meaningful?
B. Does it fit your purpose in life?
C. Will it stand the test of time?
D. Will it help others?
E. Which ones make the child in you jump up and down with excitement?
(Psalm 145:14, Message) “God … gives a fresh start to those ready to quit.”