WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.299 So my family flew to Anaheim and we spent some time in Anaheim and then we drove to Phoenix 00:00:06.299 --> 00:00:11.820 across the desert to go to the Southern Baptist Convention. And in the midst of that desert 00:00:11.820 --> 00:00:18.100 there was a beautiful green oasis that I was determined to keep going so I didn't stop. I wish 00:00:18.100 --> 00:00:23.539 I had. And I found out later it was Palm Springs, California. I mean it sat over the side of the 00:00:23.539 --> 00:00:27.039 interstate and it was green as it could be. It was an oasis in the middle of the desert. 00:00:27.039 --> 00:00:36.340 That remarkable scene in the midst of the desert is much like Jericho was in the first century. 00:00:36.780 --> 00:00:43.079 It's located in the Jordan Valley. It is surrounded by barren wilderness and Jericho was lush because 00:00:43.079 --> 00:00:52.179 it had natural springs. It sat at the bottom of a mountain range and it sat 850 feet below 00:00:52.179 --> 00:00:58.960 sea level in that Dead Sea Valley. Still does by the way. But water from those mountains to the west 00:00:58.960 --> 00:01:05.640 would travel underground and emerged into natural springs and it made it stand out in the desert as 00:01:05.640 --> 00:01:14.620 a beautiful fertile oasis. It is known and it is spoken of in the Old Testament as the city of palm 00:01:14.620 --> 00:01:21.099 trees. It's mentioned that way three times in the Old Testament. It was a winter retreat for the rich. 00:01:21.099 --> 00:01:31.979 Herod the great even built his winter palaces there. And it was through this city that Jesus passed on his 00:01:31.979 --> 00:01:41.799 final journey toward Jerusalem. When he left Jericho he would go on that road that we know as the road 00:01:41.799 --> 00:01:46.379 to Jericho. Of course if you're going the other way it's the road to Jerusalem. But that road to Jericho. 00:01:46.379 --> 00:01:53.799 And if you ride the highway from Jericho to Jerusalem and you look over to your right I believe that path 00:01:53.799 --> 00:01:59.340 that goes along there's a hiking path of 19 miles in the desert. But I believe that very well could be 00:01:59.340 --> 00:02:06.239 what Jesus spoke of when he spoke of the road to Jericho. He was about to take that to Jerusalem. 00:02:06.759 --> 00:02:13.879 Such a beautiful city was a natural spot for those who would head toward Jerusalem for Passover. 00:02:13.879 --> 00:02:21.620 And they would spend the night there and as they came out that gate it was a perfect place for a blind beggar 00:02:21.620 --> 00:02:29.359 to sit outside that gate. And that leads us to our passage in Mark chapter 10 beginning in verse 46. 00:02:30.139 --> 00:02:31.099 And it says this, 00:02:31.099 --> 00:02:56.560 And they came out all the more, 00:02:56.560 --> 00:03:04.659 And Jesus said to him, 00:03:04.659 --> 00:03:08.300 And Jesus said to him, 00:03:08.300 --> 00:03:20.099 And Jesus said to him, 00:03:20.099 --> 00:03:24.039 What do you want me to do for you? 00:03:24.840 --> 00:03:26.539 And the blind man said to him, 00:03:27.240 --> 00:03:30.259 Rabbi, let me recover my sight. 00:03:31.000 --> 00:03:32.599 And Jesus said to him, 00:03:33.299 --> 00:03:34.240 Go your way. 00:03:34.879 --> 00:03:37.000 Your faith has made you well. 00:03:37.699 --> 00:03:39.879 And immediately he recovered his sight 00:03:39.879 --> 00:03:41.639 and followed him 00:03:41.639 --> 00:03:43.579 on the way. 00:03:44.900 --> 00:03:45.459 Bartimaeus 00:03:45.459 --> 00:03:46.879 was a blind beggar 00:03:46.879 --> 00:03:49.680 that was smart to do what he did 00:03:49.680 --> 00:03:51.159 the way he did it. 00:03:51.759 --> 00:03:54.699 He had stationed himself outside of a nice town 00:03:54.699 --> 00:03:56.259 at a time 00:03:56.259 --> 00:03:57.280 when many 00:03:57.280 --> 00:03:58.900 would come through there 00:03:58.900 --> 00:04:01.259 on their way to Jerusalem for Passover. 00:04:02.039 --> 00:04:03.319 And people that travel 00:04:03.319 --> 00:04:04.960 normally have the means to do so. 00:04:05.560 --> 00:04:07.439 And when they are good 00:04:07.439 --> 00:04:08.579 religious people, 00:04:09.120 --> 00:04:10.599 sometimes they are more generous. 00:04:10.599 --> 00:04:13.719 And we can learn from Bartimaeus 00:04:13.719 --> 00:04:16.480 because what he did that day 00:04:16.480 --> 00:04:17.920 in his interaction with the Lord 00:04:17.920 --> 00:04:21.459 eternally changed his life. 00:04:21.560 --> 00:04:23.279 So I want to show you this morning 00:04:23.279 --> 00:04:25.779 not only what he did, 00:04:26.360 --> 00:04:30.100 but what we should do as well. 00:04:30.819 --> 00:04:35.399 First, we need to recognize the Lord. 00:04:36.719 --> 00:04:37.719 Recognize the Lord. 00:04:37.720 --> 00:04:40.440 Verse 47 says that when he heard it was Jesus, 00:04:40.540 --> 00:04:41.640 he began to cry out. 00:04:43.540 --> 00:04:44.340 You see, he cried out 00:04:44.340 --> 00:04:46.040 because he had heard about Jesus. 00:04:47.920 --> 00:04:49.100 He had probably heard 00:04:49.100 --> 00:04:52.520 that demons were actively destroying lives 00:04:52.520 --> 00:04:54.520 and they had been cast out 00:04:54.520 --> 00:04:56.520 by the power of the mere voice 00:04:56.520 --> 00:04:57.840 of Jesus. 00:04:58.820 --> 00:05:00.760 The word was out about stuff like that 00:05:00.760 --> 00:05:02.960 and he surely had heard about the storm 00:05:02.959 --> 00:05:05.079 and the sea 00:05:05.079 --> 00:05:07.199 that were calmed 00:05:07.199 --> 00:05:09.120 by that same voice. 00:05:10.099 --> 00:05:12.159 He may have heard about the diseased woman 00:05:12.159 --> 00:05:14.500 who had been sick for 12 years 00:05:14.500 --> 00:05:15.919 who was instantly healed 00:05:15.919 --> 00:05:17.560 when she touched the hem 00:05:17.560 --> 00:05:19.240 of the garment of Christ. 00:05:19.959 --> 00:05:21.419 He could have heard about the girl 00:05:21.419 --> 00:05:22.740 that was raised from the dead 00:05:22.740 --> 00:05:24.539 or how 4,000 were fed 00:05:24.539 --> 00:05:26.899 or how 5,000 and their families were fed 00:05:26.899 --> 00:05:28.899 from just a boy's lunch. 00:05:28.899 --> 00:05:32.859 I'm sure the word got out 00:05:32.859 --> 00:05:37.560 that Jesus welcomed children 00:05:37.560 --> 00:05:42.539 and yet took on the religious establishment 00:05:42.539 --> 00:05:45.779 and the whole time marveling everyone 00:05:45.779 --> 00:05:47.839 that saw him. 00:05:49.899 --> 00:05:51.399 He couldn't see him 00:05:51.399 --> 00:05:54.239 but he listened. 00:05:54.240 --> 00:05:58.860 He heard some people tear Jesus down 00:05:58.860 --> 00:06:03.019 while he heard others lift Jesus up 00:06:03.019 --> 00:06:08.000 but he wanted to see Jesus for himself. 00:06:09.980 --> 00:06:15.120 He wanted to see Jesus for himself. 00:06:17.120 --> 00:06:20.079 Now it's one thing to want to witness something. 00:06:20.079 --> 00:06:23.780 It's another thing to recognize Christ. 00:06:24.240 --> 00:06:27.019 And recognize him he did. 00:06:27.340 --> 00:06:31.259 He recognized him for who he is. 00:06:31.819 --> 00:06:33.980 He called him by name 00:06:33.980 --> 00:06:36.460 and he followed it with 00:06:36.460 --> 00:06:37.900 Son of David. 00:06:39.319 --> 00:06:41.139 He does it twice. 00:06:42.480 --> 00:06:44.540 No one else in the Gospel of Mark 00:06:44.540 --> 00:06:47.319 calls Jesus Son of David. 00:06:48.460 --> 00:06:49.519 Now what does that mean 00:06:49.519 --> 00:06:50.560 that a blind beggar 00:06:50.560 --> 00:06:52.319 who very possibly could have been a Gentile 00:06:52.319 --> 00:06:55.199 knew that Jesus was the Messiah? 00:06:56.199 --> 00:06:58.180 That he knew he was the one 00:06:58.180 --> 00:06:59.740 that prophecy spoke of? 00:07:00.339 --> 00:07:02.139 That he knew he was the one 00:07:02.139 --> 00:07:03.519 that was the hope of Israel? 00:07:04.920 --> 00:07:06.480 Apparently Bartimaeus had apparently 00:07:06.480 --> 00:07:08.060 studied about Christ 00:07:08.060 --> 00:07:09.779 and prepared to meet Christ 00:07:09.779 --> 00:07:11.399 and he recognized the Lord 00:07:11.399 --> 00:07:12.819 for who he is. 00:07:13.639 --> 00:07:15.379 Now many people miss that. 00:07:16.120 --> 00:07:18.240 The religious leaders rejected him 00:07:18.240 --> 00:07:20.620 and said he wasn't that Messiah. 00:07:21.180 --> 00:07:22.540 The disciples never really 00:07:22.540 --> 00:07:24.460 caught on to it either at this point. 00:07:24.960 --> 00:07:26.480 They had a hard time figuring it out. 00:07:26.980 --> 00:07:29.740 But yet Bartimaeus figured it out. 00:07:29.840 --> 00:07:32.160 You know many people miss that today as well. 00:07:33.519 --> 00:07:35.840 The Jesus that I hear people talk about 00:07:35.840 --> 00:07:37.180 and I want to warn you about this. 00:07:37.639 --> 00:07:39.460 The Jesus that I hear people talk about 00:07:39.460 --> 00:07:41.639 is not the Jesus of the Bible often. 00:07:43.100 --> 00:07:44.680 There's a flippancy today 00:07:44.680 --> 00:07:46.240 about who Jesus is. 00:07:46.240 --> 00:07:48.259 I remember hearing years ago 00:07:48.259 --> 00:07:49.860 Oprah Winfrey say 00:07:49.860 --> 00:07:53.060 whatever may be Jesus to you 00:07:53.060 --> 00:07:56.900 something else may be Jesus to somebody else. 00:07:58.319 --> 00:07:59.740 I heard her say the other day 00:07:59.740 --> 00:08:00.480 on just a little reel 00:08:00.480 --> 00:08:01.860 that I accidentally listened to her 00:08:01.860 --> 00:08:02.860 said 00:08:02.860 --> 00:08:05.939 God are 00:08:05.939 --> 00:08:08.620 the life force. 00:08:10.560 --> 00:08:12.100 What a bunch of baloney. 00:08:13.579 --> 00:08:14.220 How foolish. 00:08:14.220 --> 00:08:16.660 How foolish. 00:08:16.740 --> 00:08:18.300 To have so much and have so little 00:08:18.300 --> 00:08:19.800 is so sad. 00:08:22.040 --> 00:08:25.800 Jesus is not what you make him up to be. 00:08:26.480 --> 00:08:28.900 He's not a pile of Play-Doh for you to create. 00:08:30.360 --> 00:08:32.620 He's not some figment of your imagination. 00:08:33.440 --> 00:08:34.840 He is the King of Kings 00:08:34.840 --> 00:08:36.580 and Lord of Lords 00:08:36.580 --> 00:08:38.259 and he is the way, 00:08:38.660 --> 00:08:39.460 the truth, 00:08:39.639 --> 00:08:40.580 and the life. 00:08:40.580 --> 00:08:41.980 And by his testimony, 00:08:42.200 --> 00:08:44.840 he's the only access to the Father. 00:08:45.360 --> 00:08:47.360 Buddha will not get you there. 00:08:47.720 --> 00:08:51.540 Mohammed will not give you access to the Father. 00:08:52.379 --> 00:08:55.200 Mormonism will not get you access to the Father. 00:08:55.500 --> 00:08:57.480 Knocking on doors for the Jehovah's Witnesses 00:08:57.480 --> 00:09:00.560 will not get you access to the Father. 00:09:00.700 --> 00:09:01.560 Let me tell you something. 00:09:02.320 --> 00:09:06.200 Church won't get you access to the Father. 00:09:06.200 --> 00:09:09.960 Baptism, 00:09:10.360 --> 00:09:11.560 the first step of obedience 00:09:11.560 --> 00:09:13.960 after you get access to the Father. 00:09:14.640 --> 00:09:15.620 But baptism alone 00:09:15.620 --> 00:09:17.220 will not get you access 00:09:17.220 --> 00:09:18.440 to the Father. 00:09:18.820 --> 00:09:20.920 Our one and only hope 00:09:20.920 --> 00:09:21.879 is in Christ 00:09:21.879 --> 00:09:23.879 and that's the way he calls it. 00:09:25.040 --> 00:09:25.540 My friend, 00:09:25.600 --> 00:09:26.580 if he's not the way, 00:09:26.780 --> 00:09:27.780 there is no going. 00:09:28.460 --> 00:09:29.700 If he's not the truth, 00:09:29.840 --> 00:09:30.720 there is no telling. 00:09:31.300 --> 00:09:32.360 If he's not the life, 00:09:32.520 --> 00:09:33.420 there is no living. 00:09:33.419 --> 00:09:37.039 He's not what we make him out to be. 00:09:37.319 --> 00:09:39.500 He is what he is. 00:09:39.839 --> 00:09:41.519 And he's the Lord and Savior, 00:09:41.819 --> 00:09:42.679 Jesus Christ. 00:09:42.979 --> 00:09:44.299 And when this man says, 00:09:44.479 --> 00:09:44.879 Jesus, 00:09:45.139 --> 00:09:46.199 Son of David, 00:09:46.439 --> 00:09:47.039 he's saying, 00:09:47.379 --> 00:09:48.120 you're the Lord. 00:09:48.839 --> 00:09:50.399 You're the Savior. 00:09:50.879 --> 00:09:51.639 You're the hope. 00:09:51.839 --> 00:09:53.579 He recognized Jesus 00:09:53.579 --> 00:09:55.299 for who he is. 00:09:56.899 --> 00:09:59.259 We need to respond like Bartimaeus did. 00:09:59.259 --> 00:10:01.980 Not only do you recognize him, 00:10:02.399 --> 00:10:05.080 but we also need to call upon the Lord. 00:10:06.159 --> 00:10:07.259 I want you to understand 00:10:07.259 --> 00:10:09.299 that it's one thing to know 00:10:09.299 --> 00:10:10.779 that you need Jesus. 00:10:13.419 --> 00:10:14.399 Sometimes I ask people 00:10:14.399 --> 00:10:15.240 about their relationship with the Lord, 00:10:15.299 --> 00:10:16.139 I've heard people say, 00:10:17.120 --> 00:10:18.620 well, me and the man upstairs, 00:10:18.720 --> 00:10:19.259 we all right. 00:10:23.799 --> 00:10:24.720 That sounds like something 00:10:24.720 --> 00:10:26.220 out of a Hitchcock Psycho. 00:10:27.819 --> 00:10:28.220 That's right. 00:10:29.259 --> 00:10:33.740 If you refer to a holy God 00:10:33.740 --> 00:10:34.939 as the man upstairs, 00:10:35.939 --> 00:10:39.340 I would declare you never knew him. 00:10:41.319 --> 00:10:42.779 You don't have a relationship with him. 00:10:44.179 --> 00:10:45.500 He's not some drunk uncle 00:10:45.500 --> 00:10:46.879 that you'd bump into every now and then. 00:10:48.159 --> 00:10:48.879 At all. 00:10:49.720 --> 00:10:50.000 No. 00:10:50.379 --> 00:10:51.679 No, not at all, my friend. 00:10:51.679 --> 00:10:54.359 He instead 00:10:54.359 --> 00:10:58.139 is one that we need 00:10:58.139 --> 00:10:59.299 to know. 00:11:01.099 --> 00:11:02.019 I want you to understand 00:11:02.019 --> 00:11:03.139 it's one thing to know 00:11:03.139 --> 00:11:04.339 that you need Jesus. 00:11:05.319 --> 00:11:06.819 It's a whole other matter 00:11:06.819 --> 00:11:07.939 to call upon him. 00:11:09.339 --> 00:11:10.599 And he called upon the Lord. 00:11:10.719 --> 00:11:11.579 People tried to hush him 00:11:11.579 --> 00:11:12.079 when he did. 00:11:14.139 --> 00:11:14.939 They didn't want him 00:11:14.939 --> 00:11:15.899 to bother Jesus. 00:11:17.679 --> 00:11:18.439 And I'll tell you, 00:11:18.479 --> 00:11:19.459 when you call upon the Lord today, 00:11:19.539 --> 00:11:20.620 people try to hush you too. 00:11:21.519 --> 00:11:22.580 And it's usually not about 00:11:22.580 --> 00:11:23.460 bothering Jesus. 00:11:23.620 --> 00:11:24.919 That's not what their concern is. 00:11:25.100 --> 00:11:26.399 It's about your reputation. 00:11:28.519 --> 00:11:30.360 It's about you keeping your pride. 00:11:32.200 --> 00:11:32.899 And I'll tell you, 00:11:33.019 --> 00:11:34.060 the devil will not, 00:11:35.000 --> 00:11:36.360 he don't want you to call on Jesus. 00:11:36.360 --> 00:11:40.659 He'll try his best not to get you to do that. 00:11:40.700 --> 00:11:41.240 In your heart, 00:11:41.300 --> 00:11:41.879 in your mind, 00:11:42.120 --> 00:11:43.860 he'll give you every reason in the world 00:11:43.860 --> 00:11:45.680 not to call upon the Lord. 00:11:46.360 --> 00:11:47.800 What are people going to think? 00:11:49.080 --> 00:11:49.519 I mean, 00:11:49.539 --> 00:11:50.360 if you obey God 00:11:50.360 --> 00:11:51.820 and do what he's leading you to do, 00:11:51.940 --> 00:11:53.159 what are people going to think? 00:11:54.419 --> 00:11:54.720 I mean, 00:11:54.740 --> 00:11:57.019 do you really think you can live for God? 00:11:57.620 --> 00:11:59.100 Do you really think you got that in you? 00:11:59.100 --> 00:12:03.379 Is it really that necessary 00:12:03.379 --> 00:12:05.259 for you to step out 00:12:05.259 --> 00:12:06.940 and call on God? 00:12:07.180 --> 00:12:10.540 Satan will use anything he can. 00:12:10.620 --> 00:12:11.420 He'll use other people 00:12:11.420 --> 00:12:13.100 to try to talk you out of coming to the Lord. 00:12:14.180 --> 00:12:15.379 I want you to understand, 00:12:15.720 --> 00:12:16.980 Ephesians is clear to tell us, 00:12:17.180 --> 00:12:20.000 there's a whole cosmic battle going on 00:12:20.000 --> 00:12:21.060 that we can't see 00:12:21.060 --> 00:12:22.240 that is attempting us 00:12:22.240 --> 00:12:25.100 to keep us from coming to Christ. 00:12:25.100 --> 00:12:25.180 Christ, 00:12:25.480 --> 00:12:26.659 somebody gets moved 00:12:26.659 --> 00:12:27.800 by the Holy Spirit of God 00:12:27.800 --> 00:12:28.659 in an act of obedience 00:12:28.659 --> 00:12:30.659 and all of hell comes upon it 00:12:30.659 --> 00:12:31.680 to try to stop them. 00:12:32.420 --> 00:12:34.240 It happens in a Baptist church. 00:12:36.860 --> 00:12:37.980 They'll see a crowd, 00:12:38.879 --> 00:12:39.659 God will be moving 00:12:39.659 --> 00:12:41.220 and there'll be a crowd 00:12:41.220 --> 00:12:42.220 trying to snuff them out. 00:12:43.320 --> 00:12:45.000 It's called the Cold Water Committee. 00:12:46.019 --> 00:12:47.879 It's not on the nominating report. 00:12:48.700 --> 00:12:49.980 It's not voted on. 00:12:50.080 --> 00:12:50.940 It's self-appointed. 00:12:51.840 --> 00:12:53.340 They want to kill any movement 00:12:53.340 --> 00:12:54.360 of the Holy Spirit of God 00:12:54.360 --> 00:12:55.220 in people's lives. 00:12:56.039 --> 00:12:56.519 You know why? 00:12:56.600 --> 00:12:57.460 Because it's unpredictable. 00:12:58.379 --> 00:12:59.300 When God gets to move, 00:12:59.340 --> 00:13:00.200 you don't know what he's going to do. 00:13:00.379 --> 00:13:01.100 People don't like that. 00:13:01.180 --> 00:13:01.960 They don't know what's happening. 00:13:04.019 --> 00:13:04.899 Beware of them. 00:13:06.000 --> 00:13:07.159 Don't be a part of them. 00:13:08.379 --> 00:13:10.100 Let nothing stop you 00:13:10.100 --> 00:13:12.379 from calling upon the Lord. 00:13:12.440 --> 00:13:13.279 Notice what he says. 00:13:13.340 --> 00:13:13.680 He says, 00:13:13.820 --> 00:13:14.159 Jesus, 00:13:15.340 --> 00:13:16.720 Son of God, 00:13:17.159 --> 00:13:19.240 have mercy on me. 00:13:20.940 --> 00:13:22.259 He didn't ask for healing. 00:13:22.259 --> 00:13:25.539 He didn't give them ultimatums. 00:13:26.580 --> 00:13:27.919 He asked for mercy. 00:13:29.259 --> 00:13:31.220 The mercy and the grace of God 00:13:31.220 --> 00:13:33.120 is the only hope we have. 00:13:33.539 --> 00:13:35.100 1 Peter 1, verse 3 says, 00:13:35.439 --> 00:13:36.899 according to his great mercy, 00:13:37.319 --> 00:13:39.939 he's called us to be born again. 00:13:40.200 --> 00:13:43.179 He called on the mercy of God. 00:13:43.600 --> 00:13:44.720 People tried to hush him 00:13:44.720 --> 00:13:46.620 and he didn't let them. 00:13:47.480 --> 00:13:49.000 Scripture says he called out again. 00:13:49.000 --> 00:13:52.159 I believe he's showing us 00:13:52.159 --> 00:13:53.179 how to respond to Christ 00:13:53.179 --> 00:13:54.539 because not only did he recognize 00:13:54.539 --> 00:13:55.480 the Lord for who he is, 00:13:56.320 --> 00:13:57.639 he called on him, 00:13:58.440 --> 00:14:00.860 but he also came to him 00:14:00.860 --> 00:14:01.919 and that's exactly what we ought to do 00:14:01.919 --> 00:14:02.580 is come to him. 00:14:02.980 --> 00:14:03.519 Come to him. 00:14:04.659 --> 00:14:05.720 Jesus heard his cry, 00:14:07.240 --> 00:14:08.960 called for him to come 00:14:08.960 --> 00:14:13.000 and those that told him to come, 00:14:13.259 --> 00:14:14.500 I want you to listen to what they said. 00:14:15.000 --> 00:14:15.659 First they said, 00:14:15.740 --> 00:14:16.460 take heart. 00:14:16.460 --> 00:14:19.639 That's sometimes translated, 00:14:19.820 --> 00:14:20.660 be of good cheer. 00:14:20.740 --> 00:14:22.080 It's a phrase that's only used 00:14:22.080 --> 00:14:24.180 in one other time in Mark. 00:14:24.920 --> 00:14:26.680 And the one other time it's used in Mark 00:14:26.680 --> 00:14:28.720 is when Jesus is walking on the water 00:14:28.720 --> 00:14:30.620 and the disciples are terrified 00:14:30.620 --> 00:14:32.040 and he told them, 00:14:32.420 --> 00:14:33.120 take heart. 00:14:33.500 --> 00:14:34.340 It is I. 00:14:34.620 --> 00:14:35.680 Don't be afraid. 00:14:36.840 --> 00:14:38.100 The people looked at him and said, 00:14:38.180 --> 00:14:38.680 take heart. 00:14:39.360 --> 00:14:39.940 Get up. 00:14:41.379 --> 00:14:42.139 Let me tell you something, friend. 00:14:42.139 --> 00:14:44.720 You cannot stay where you are 00:14:44.720 --> 00:14:47.199 and go where you need to go with Christ. 00:14:48.259 --> 00:14:49.379 You got to get up. 00:14:49.759 --> 00:14:50.699 You got to get up. 00:14:51.019 --> 00:14:52.100 You got to come to Christ. 00:14:53.019 --> 00:14:54.659 Then they said he's calling you. 00:14:56.639 --> 00:14:58.100 And I want to be clear this morning. 00:15:00.519 --> 00:15:02.100 If you have any unction 00:15:02.100 --> 00:15:04.240 to get right with God, 00:15:04.819 --> 00:15:07.939 to come to him for salvation, 00:15:07.940 --> 00:15:11.080 to repent of sin in your life 00:15:11.080 --> 00:15:12.900 and to get your life right today, 00:15:13.480 --> 00:15:16.020 this goes for any of us 00:15:16.020 --> 00:15:16.800 and all of us. 00:15:17.240 --> 00:15:20.380 We don't come up with that on our own. 00:15:22.080 --> 00:15:23.640 God's calling you 00:15:23.640 --> 00:15:25.060 to get your life right. 00:15:26.320 --> 00:15:28.420 And when he calls you, 00:15:29.220 --> 00:15:30.520 you need to get up 00:15:30.520 --> 00:15:32.440 and come to Christ. 00:15:32.440 --> 00:15:35.340 It is your responsibility 00:15:35.340 --> 00:15:38.240 to respond to the grace 00:15:38.240 --> 00:15:40.220 and the mercy of God. 00:15:40.340 --> 00:15:42.160 No one can do that for you 00:15:42.160 --> 00:15:44.300 and it's no one else's fault 00:15:44.300 --> 00:15:45.960 if you refuse to. 00:15:46.940 --> 00:15:48.400 Notice what this man did. 00:15:49.240 --> 00:15:50.420 It says in verse 50, 00:15:50.860 --> 00:15:52.540 and throwing off his cloak, 00:15:53.700 --> 00:15:55.300 he sprang up 00:15:55.300 --> 00:15:57.500 and came to Jesus. 00:15:58.440 --> 00:16:00.340 How valuable is a cloak 00:16:00.340 --> 00:16:02.300 of a blind beggar? 00:16:02.440 --> 00:16:06.240 Have you ever lost your phone? 00:16:09.520 --> 00:16:10.140 Where's my phone? 00:16:10.140 --> 00:16:11.000 Everybody frees. 00:16:11.060 --> 00:16:11.900 I can't find my phone. 00:16:12.600 --> 00:16:14.240 All of life stops 00:16:14.240 --> 00:16:15.720 when somebody can't find their phone. 00:16:19.500 --> 00:16:20.440 Phone's nothing compared 00:16:20.440 --> 00:16:21.640 to a cloak to a blind beggar. 00:16:25.100 --> 00:16:26.600 Not only is it his coat, 00:16:27.720 --> 00:16:29.160 not only is it his umbrella, 00:16:30.440 --> 00:16:31.180 but it may, 00:16:31.260 --> 00:16:32.380 and I don't want to infer this 00:16:32.379 --> 00:16:32.960 because I don't know 00:16:32.960 --> 00:16:33.700 his circumstances, 00:16:33.700 --> 00:16:35.679 it may have been his home. 00:16:38.840 --> 00:16:40.740 When the man threw his cloak, 00:16:41.039 --> 00:16:42.299 all his inhibitions 00:16:42.299 --> 00:16:44.899 were tossed to the side 00:16:44.899 --> 00:16:49.159 in the hopes of seeing Jesus. 00:16:50.960 --> 00:16:52.019 Throw it off. 00:16:53.299 --> 00:16:54.019 Spring up. 00:16:54.019 --> 00:16:56.279 And come to Jesus. 00:16:57.159 --> 00:16:57.960 That's what he did. 00:16:58.840 --> 00:16:59.740 One day a little boy 00:16:59.740 --> 00:17:03.139 got his hand stuck in a vase. 00:17:04.019 --> 00:17:05.960 Man, they tried to get that hand out 00:17:05.960 --> 00:17:06.839 and they couldn't do it for anything. 00:17:07.279 --> 00:17:08.339 They put soap on it 00:17:08.339 --> 00:17:09.500 and tried to wiggle it out. 00:17:09.559 --> 00:17:10.019 They couldn't do anything. 00:17:10.160 --> 00:17:11.460 Finally, they had to break the vase 00:17:11.460 --> 00:17:12.680 to get the boy's hand out. 00:17:13.160 --> 00:17:14.720 And when they broke the vase, 00:17:14.779 --> 00:17:16.240 they looked at his hand 00:17:16.240 --> 00:17:17.799 and he had his hand clenched. 00:17:18.440 --> 00:17:19.460 He had a quarter in it. 00:17:19.460 --> 00:17:21.840 He wasn't letting go of that quarter. 00:17:22.579 --> 00:17:23.819 And he broke that vase. 00:17:24.500 --> 00:17:24.900 It's the only way 00:17:24.900 --> 00:17:25.779 he's going to get his hand out 00:17:25.779 --> 00:17:26.400 if he could get a hold 00:17:26.400 --> 00:17:27.220 of that quarter, friend. 00:17:32.380 --> 00:17:33.160 Some folks 00:17:33.160 --> 00:17:36.740 never come to Christ 00:17:36.740 --> 00:17:40.880 because they have a pet sin 00:17:40.880 --> 00:17:41.460 in their life. 00:17:41.460 --> 00:17:46.120 They have a lifestyle. 00:17:48.539 --> 00:17:50.059 They have a way about them 00:17:50.059 --> 00:17:51.220 that's displeasing to God. 00:17:51.299 --> 00:17:52.299 They don't want to let go of it. 00:17:57.900 --> 00:17:59.319 Drop your quarter today. 00:18:01.620 --> 00:18:03.180 Throw your cloak today. 00:18:05.180 --> 00:18:07.039 Leave your distraction behind 00:18:07.039 --> 00:18:09.079 and spring to your feet. 00:18:11.460 --> 00:18:13.079 Come as you are to Christ 00:18:13.079 --> 00:18:15.840 because he'll open your eyes 00:18:15.840 --> 00:18:17.700 to see what you never 00:18:17.700 --> 00:18:19.279 could otherwise have seen. 00:18:19.680 --> 00:18:21.660 The blind man is showing us 00:18:21.660 --> 00:18:23.500 how to respond to Jesus. 00:18:24.380 --> 00:18:24.900 Not only that, 00:18:24.920 --> 00:18:25.720 I want you to see this. 00:18:27.319 --> 00:18:28.480 You also believe in the Lord. 00:18:30.380 --> 00:18:31.500 Verse 51 says, 00:18:31.660 --> 00:18:32.799 And Jesus said to him, 00:18:32.960 --> 00:18:34.920 What do you want me to do for you? 00:18:35.620 --> 00:18:37.340 And the blind man said to him, 00:18:37.340 --> 00:18:39.720 Rabbi, let me recover my sight. 00:18:39.720 --> 00:18:43.299 Now the question that Jesus asked him 00:18:43.299 --> 00:18:45.240 may sound like a silly question, 00:18:45.360 --> 00:18:46.100 but it's really not. 00:18:47.640 --> 00:18:48.940 There are a lot of things 00:18:48.940 --> 00:18:50.920 that people want God to do for them. 00:18:52.720 --> 00:18:54.839 Some people want to bargain with God. 00:18:55.380 --> 00:18:56.559 God, if I do this, 00:18:57.079 --> 00:18:58.160 will you do this? 00:18:59.620 --> 00:19:02.039 As somehow if we can pay for his mercy, 00:19:02.819 --> 00:19:04.259 and we can't. 00:19:06.019 --> 00:19:08.220 Some want God to solve their problems. 00:19:08.220 --> 00:19:11.900 They want relief, 00:19:12.480 --> 00:19:14.600 but they don't want a relationship. 00:19:17.480 --> 00:19:18.980 Some want God's blessings. 00:19:20.600 --> 00:19:21.779 I mean, they know what they want. 00:19:21.940 --> 00:19:24.059 They know what they're going to do, 00:19:24.220 --> 00:19:27.960 but surely God will approve 00:19:27.960 --> 00:19:30.000 what I have already lined up 00:19:30.000 --> 00:19:30.700 for me to do. 00:19:32.539 --> 00:19:34.720 Some want deliverance from difficulty, 00:19:34.720 --> 00:19:36.900 but they don't want to repent 00:19:36.900 --> 00:19:38.180 from the sin that put them 00:19:38.180 --> 00:19:39.059 in that difficulty. 00:19:40.900 --> 00:19:43.460 Some want God to change other people. 00:19:46.680 --> 00:19:47.779 And every time, 00:19:47.900 --> 00:19:49.240 in 33 years of passion, 00:19:49.319 --> 00:19:50.980 I've ran across a rock and a shoe 00:19:50.980 --> 00:19:52.240 and said, 00:19:52.319 --> 00:19:53.700 Lord, do something in them. 00:19:54.559 --> 00:19:55.299 Fix them, Lord. 00:19:56.799 --> 00:19:58.100 He started fixing me. 00:19:58.099 --> 00:19:58.699 Every time. 00:20:00.119 --> 00:20:00.879 Every time. 00:20:02.799 --> 00:20:04.500 He helped me see that person 00:20:04.500 --> 00:20:05.539 in a different way 00:20:05.539 --> 00:20:07.919 than I'd ever seen them before 00:20:07.919 --> 00:20:09.099 because I prayed for them. 00:20:10.459 --> 00:20:11.899 You got a problem with somebody? 00:20:13.419 --> 00:20:14.279 Pray for them. 00:20:15.859 --> 00:20:16.959 God will do a work in them. 00:20:17.039 --> 00:20:17.599 Yeah, he will, 00:20:17.659 --> 00:20:18.859 but he'll also do a work in you. 00:20:19.039 --> 00:20:19.659 I'll just warn you. 00:20:19.660 --> 00:20:26.940 Bartimaeus was up front. 00:20:27.519 --> 00:20:28.620 He was open. 00:20:29.460 --> 00:20:31.000 He knew exactly what he wanted, 00:20:31.300 --> 00:20:33.380 and he had exactly what he needed. 00:20:33.860 --> 00:20:35.080 He had the faith 00:20:35.080 --> 00:20:37.759 that God would do it. 00:20:39.180 --> 00:20:40.600 And Jesus said to him 00:20:40.600 --> 00:20:41.360 in verse 52, 00:20:42.140 --> 00:20:43.100 Go your way. 00:20:43.940 --> 00:20:45.000 Your faith 00:20:45.000 --> 00:20:47.880 has made you well. 00:20:47.880 --> 00:20:50.760 Now, Bartimaeus' life 00:20:50.760 --> 00:20:51.900 was changed 00:20:51.900 --> 00:20:53.380 because he believed. 00:20:54.340 --> 00:20:55.400 Life-changing, 00:20:56.220 --> 00:20:57.540 pleading through the noise, 00:20:58.340 --> 00:20:59.500 throwing your cloak, 00:21:00.120 --> 00:21:01.240 responding instantly. 00:21:01.800 --> 00:21:03.440 He had that kind of faith 00:21:03.440 --> 00:21:05.080 to follow Christ. 00:21:06.140 --> 00:21:07.580 Christ changed his life. 00:21:08.040 --> 00:21:08.940 He'll change yours too. 00:21:11.700 --> 00:21:12.860 Lastly, he teaches us 00:21:12.860 --> 00:21:14.340 how to respond by showing us 00:21:14.340 --> 00:21:15.460 that you follow the Lord. 00:21:17.880 --> 00:21:19.540 This is my favorite part 00:21:19.540 --> 00:21:20.520 of this amazing count. 00:21:21.560 --> 00:21:22.580 I want you to see this. 00:21:23.340 --> 00:21:24.240 Verse 52 says, 00:21:24.380 --> 00:21:25.180 And Jesus said to him, 00:21:25.300 --> 00:21:26.620 Go your way. 00:21:27.260 --> 00:21:28.940 Your faith has made you well. 00:21:29.280 --> 00:21:30.840 And immediately he recovered his sight 00:21:30.840 --> 00:21:33.760 and followed Christ on the way. 00:21:33.960 --> 00:21:35.440 Jesus told him to go his way. 00:21:36.720 --> 00:21:38.560 And he instantly recovered his sight, 00:21:38.920 --> 00:21:40.080 and his way of going 00:21:40.080 --> 00:21:42.860 was to follow the Lord in his way. 00:21:42.859 --> 00:21:44.359 My friend, 00:21:44.519 --> 00:21:46.899 that is a physical example 00:21:46.899 --> 00:21:48.579 for us 00:21:48.579 --> 00:21:51.479 of what must happen to us 00:21:51.479 --> 00:21:53.919 when Christ opens our eyes. 00:21:54.159 --> 00:21:56.339 We follow him. 00:21:59.139 --> 00:22:01.519 There's a point in John chapter 6 00:22:01.519 --> 00:22:03.019 where some of the followers 00:22:03.019 --> 00:22:04.599 of Jesus turned away. 00:22:04.599 --> 00:22:09.159 And when they see 00:22:09.159 --> 00:22:10.199 the people leaving, 00:22:11.599 --> 00:22:13.740 Jesus looks at his disciples 00:22:13.740 --> 00:22:14.799 and he says, 00:22:15.159 --> 00:22:17.740 Do you want to go away as well? 00:22:19.480 --> 00:22:20.679 And Simon Peter, 00:22:20.839 --> 00:22:22.439 who got a lot wrong 00:22:22.439 --> 00:22:24.279 before the ascension of Christ, 00:22:25.359 --> 00:22:27.059 he gets it right here. 00:22:28.919 --> 00:22:29.699 He said, 00:22:29.779 --> 00:22:30.759 Lord, to whom 00:22:30.759 --> 00:22:33.359 shall we go? 00:22:33.359 --> 00:22:36.819 You have the words 00:22:36.819 --> 00:22:39.179 of eternal life. 00:22:40.240 --> 00:22:40.519 Amen. 00:22:41.679 --> 00:22:42.939 Peter got it right. 00:22:44.139 --> 00:22:45.539 He got a lot of things wrong, 00:22:45.619 --> 00:22:46.399 but he got that right. 00:22:46.579 --> 00:22:47.279 And that's good 00:22:47.279 --> 00:22:48.839 because that's what you have 00:22:48.839 --> 00:22:49.819 to get right, friend. 00:22:51.139 --> 00:22:52.299 It's amazing to me 00:22:52.299 --> 00:22:53.199 that a blind man 00:22:53.199 --> 00:22:54.719 could show us more clearly 00:22:54.719 --> 00:22:56.579 than even those with sight 00:22:56.579 --> 00:22:59.039 that walked with Christ daily. 00:22:59.679 --> 00:23:01.079 He showed us more 00:23:01.079 --> 00:23:02.539 than they could. 00:23:03.359 --> 00:23:05.079 It means that you can be 00:23:05.079 --> 00:23:06.179 so close. 00:23:06.519 --> 00:23:07.779 Listen to me, church member. 00:23:08.199 --> 00:23:10.139 It means you can be so close. 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:11.899 Listen to me, church attender. 00:23:12.099 --> 00:23:13.099 It means you can be 00:23:13.099 --> 00:23:15.259 so close, 00:23:15.819 --> 00:23:19.679 but miss 00:23:19.679 --> 00:23:23.839 so much. 00:23:23.839 --> 00:23:29.019 and I don't want you 00:23:29.019 --> 00:23:29.519 to miss it. 00:23:33.179 --> 00:23:34.279 I want you to see 00:23:34.279 --> 00:23:35.319 what you can have 00:23:35.319 --> 00:23:37.319 when you have Jesus. 00:23:41.079 --> 00:23:42.500 But you got to recognize him 00:23:42.500 --> 00:23:45.679 for who he is. 00:23:47.959 --> 00:23:49.099 You got to call on him. 00:23:49.099 --> 00:23:50.039 There will be naysayers 00:23:50.039 --> 00:23:50.559 in your life 00:23:50.559 --> 00:23:51.719 that will discourage that. 00:23:56.039 --> 00:23:56.699 Jesus said, 00:23:56.759 --> 00:23:57.759 unless you hate your father 00:23:57.759 --> 00:23:58.279 and your mother 00:23:58.279 --> 00:23:58.719 and your brother 00:23:58.719 --> 00:23:59.159 and your sister, 00:23:59.379 --> 00:24:00.119 and his point was, 00:24:00.359 --> 00:24:01.639 don't let anybody 00:24:01.639 --> 00:24:03.359 come in the way 00:24:03.359 --> 00:24:04.719 of you being obedient 00:24:04.719 --> 00:24:05.519 to follow God. 00:24:06.879 --> 00:24:08.500 Let nobody stand in your way. 00:24:08.559 --> 00:24:09.539 They'll always be naysayers. 00:24:09.759 --> 00:24:10.579 There's naysayers 00:24:10.579 --> 00:24:11.619 in your own mind. 00:24:11.619 --> 00:24:15.019 There'll always be naysayers. 00:24:17.059 --> 00:24:18.099 Let me remind you, 00:24:18.159 --> 00:24:19.219 there's a spiritual battle 00:24:19.219 --> 00:24:19.819 going on 00:24:19.819 --> 00:24:21.059 that you can't see 00:24:21.059 --> 00:24:22.539 that's more real 00:24:22.539 --> 00:24:24.159 than anything in Iran 00:24:24.159 --> 00:24:27.359 to keep you away 00:24:27.359 --> 00:24:28.139 from being everything 00:24:28.139 --> 00:24:29.319 that God would have you 00:24:29.319 --> 00:24:30.359 to be. 00:24:31.879 --> 00:24:32.759 Call him out. 00:24:33.519 --> 00:24:34.299 Come to him. 00:24:34.599 --> 00:24:35.619 He's calling for you. 00:24:37.039 --> 00:24:37.979 Got any unction 00:24:37.979 --> 00:24:38.659 within you at all, 00:24:38.699 --> 00:24:39.279 he's calling you. 00:24:39.319 --> 00:24:39.739 He's the one 00:24:39.739 --> 00:24:40.479 that developed that. 00:24:41.619 --> 00:24:42.479 Believe in him 00:24:42.479 --> 00:24:43.219 because your faith 00:24:43.219 --> 00:24:43.939 will allow you 00:24:43.939 --> 00:24:45.479 to see 00:24:45.479 --> 00:24:47.699 and then spend 00:24:47.699 --> 00:24:49.119 the rest of your days 00:24:49.119 --> 00:24:51.539 following him. 00:24:52.439 --> 00:24:53.239 My friend, 00:24:54.179 --> 00:24:55.679 that's where it's at. 00:24:56.559 --> 00:24:57.039 Oh, 00:24:57.759 --> 00:24:59.279 that we can see 00:24:59.279 --> 00:25:03.239 what we have 00:25:03.239 --> 00:25:05.119 when we have 00:25:05.119 --> 00:25:05.759 the Lord Jesus. 00:25:06.839 --> 00:25:07.939 With every head bowed 00:25:07.939 --> 00:25:08.659 and every eye closed, 00:25:08.660 --> 00:25:12.440 I have a tremendous burden 00:25:12.440 --> 00:25:14.220 for those 00:25:14.220 --> 00:25:15.100 who may attend church 00:25:15.100 --> 00:25:15.540 a lot 00:25:15.540 --> 00:25:17.180 who never have 00:25:17.180 --> 00:25:17.880 given their heart 00:25:17.880 --> 00:25:18.240 and life 00:25:18.240 --> 00:25:19.300 to the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:25:23.779 --> 00:25:24.820 Sometimes it's men 00:25:24.820 --> 00:25:26.040 that's just so hardened 00:25:26.040 --> 00:25:27.320 and so proud, 00:25:27.700 --> 00:25:28.720 they don't want 00:25:28.720 --> 00:25:29.100 to surrender 00:25:29.100 --> 00:25:29.779 to anybody, 00:25:29.940 --> 00:25:30.660 let alone the Lord. 00:25:31.940 --> 00:25:32.460 They're afraid 00:25:32.460 --> 00:25:33.220 they'll look weak 00:25:33.220 --> 00:25:34.800 in front of somebody else. 00:25:34.799 --> 00:25:39.839 and the reality 00:25:39.839 --> 00:25:40.519 is one day 00:25:40.519 --> 00:25:41.259 there'll come a day 00:25:41.259 --> 00:25:44.000 when all that pride 00:25:44.000 --> 00:25:44.659 will be acknowledged 00:25:44.659 --> 00:25:45.839 and it'll be forever 00:25:45.839 --> 00:25:46.359 too late. 00:25:48.579 --> 00:25:49.419 Don't let anything 00:25:49.419 --> 00:25:50.059 come in the way 00:25:50.059 --> 00:25:50.480 of you coming 00:25:50.480 --> 00:25:50.980 to the Lord. 00:25:54.980 --> 00:25:55.740 It may be women, 00:25:55.899 --> 00:25:56.399 boys and girls 00:25:56.399 --> 00:25:57.519 who are concerned 00:25:57.519 --> 00:25:58.740 about what somebody else 00:25:58.740 --> 00:25:59.500 in their household 00:25:59.500 --> 00:26:00.700 will be concerned about. 00:26:00.700 --> 00:26:05.039 Don't let anything 00:26:05.039 --> 00:26:05.860 come in the way 00:26:05.860 --> 00:26:08.080 of you coming 00:26:08.080 --> 00:26:08.680 to Christ. 00:26:10.000 --> 00:26:10.759 You've never 00:26:10.759 --> 00:26:11.480 given your life 00:26:11.480 --> 00:26:12.039 to Christ. 00:26:13.360 --> 00:26:14.039 Surrender your life 00:26:14.039 --> 00:26:14.660 to Him today. 00:26:15.799 --> 00:26:16.700 He's calling you. 00:26:20.299 --> 00:26:21.080 Maybe you're here 00:26:21.080 --> 00:26:21.720 and you have done that 00:26:21.720 --> 00:26:22.360 but you've never 00:26:22.360 --> 00:26:23.559 publicly acknowledged 00:26:23.559 --> 00:26:23.900 Him. 00:26:27.340 --> 00:26:29.500 Jesus shows us 00:26:29.500 --> 00:26:29.940 that, 00:26:29.940 --> 00:26:31.279 commands us that, 00:26:31.920 --> 00:26:33.039 tells us to do that 00:26:33.039 --> 00:26:33.700 by baptism. 00:26:34.960 --> 00:26:36.059 So I encourage you 00:26:36.059 --> 00:26:36.460 today 00:26:36.460 --> 00:26:39.700 to follow the Lord. 00:26:41.140 --> 00:26:41.500 If you've never 00:26:41.500 --> 00:26:41.900 been baptized 00:26:41.900 --> 00:26:42.460 as a believer, 00:26:43.259 --> 00:26:43.840 it's a step 00:26:43.840 --> 00:26:44.420 of obedience 00:26:44.420 --> 00:26:45.460 that can be 00:26:45.460 --> 00:26:46.080 a hindrance 00:26:46.080 --> 00:26:46.779 in your walk 00:26:46.779 --> 00:26:47.240 with God 00:26:47.240 --> 00:26:48.700 when you hold 00:26:48.700 --> 00:26:49.100 that back. 00:26:49.259 --> 00:26:49.640 Satan will 00:26:49.640 --> 00:26:50.360 hold that over you. 00:26:51.960 --> 00:26:52.640 Maybe you're here 00:26:52.640 --> 00:26:53.220 and God's drawing 00:26:53.220 --> 00:26:53.700 you to Pickens 00:26:53.700 --> 00:26:54.559 First Baptist Church. 00:26:54.640 --> 00:26:55.299 This is the place 00:26:55.299 --> 00:26:55.779 that you know 00:26:55.779 --> 00:26:56.380 God would have 00:26:56.380 --> 00:26:56.900 you to serve. 00:26:58.140 --> 00:26:58.700 Don't let anything 00:26:58.700 --> 00:26:59.259 hold you back 00:26:59.259 --> 00:26:59.860 from being obedient 00:26:59.859 --> 00:27:00.299 to God. 00:27:01.959 --> 00:27:03.059 I'm not a salesman. 00:27:03.859 --> 00:27:04.639 I just want to 00:27:04.639 --> 00:27:05.019 encourage you 00:27:05.019 --> 00:27:05.359 to do everything 00:27:05.359 --> 00:27:06.219 God tells you to do. 00:27:06.379 --> 00:27:06.839 You just follow 00:27:06.839 --> 00:27:07.199 the Lord. 00:27:09.819 --> 00:27:10.500 Maybe you're here 00:27:10.500 --> 00:27:11.019 this morning 00:27:11.019 --> 00:27:13.099 as many of us are. 00:27:15.599 --> 00:27:16.740 We need to release 00:27:16.740 --> 00:27:17.559 the grip 00:27:17.559 --> 00:27:19.359 that's in our hand. 00:27:19.359 --> 00:27:21.819 we need to 00:27:21.819 --> 00:27:22.319 we need to throw 00:27:22.319 --> 00:27:23.019 our cloak 00:27:23.019 --> 00:27:23.879 of security 00:27:23.879 --> 00:27:24.719 aside 00:27:24.719 --> 00:27:27.000 and follow 00:27:27.000 --> 00:27:27.539 the Lord 00:27:27.539 --> 00:27:29.319 today. 00:27:33.319 --> 00:27:34.240 I encourage you 00:27:34.240 --> 00:27:34.779 to do that. 00:27:37.719 --> 00:27:38.459 However God 00:27:38.459 --> 00:27:39.279 tells you to do it, 00:27:39.319 --> 00:27:40.000 just trust Him. 00:27:40.939 --> 00:27:41.500 Trust Him. 00:27:42.839 --> 00:27:43.679 We're going to stand 00:27:43.679 --> 00:27:44.379 and we're going to sing 00:27:44.379 --> 00:27:45.000 in just a moment 00:27:45.000 --> 00:27:45.740 and when we do, 00:27:45.879 --> 00:27:46.859 I encourage you 00:27:46.859 --> 00:27:48.079 that as God 00:27:48.079 --> 00:27:48.519 leads you, 00:27:48.579 --> 00:27:49.119 you come. 00:27:49.559 --> 00:27:49.699 Say, 00:27:49.759 --> 00:27:50.059 Pastor, 00:27:50.240 --> 00:27:50.799 I need you 00:27:50.799 --> 00:27:51.359 to pray for me. 00:27:51.479 --> 00:27:51.779 Pastor, 00:27:51.959 --> 00:27:52.759 I need the Lord 00:27:52.759 --> 00:27:53.099 Jesus. 00:27:53.500 --> 00:27:53.799 Pastor, 00:27:53.959 --> 00:27:54.539 I need to be 00:27:54.539 --> 00:27:54.799 baptized. 00:27:55.019 --> 00:27:55.259 Pastor, 00:27:55.559 --> 00:27:56.979 God's leading me 00:27:56.979 --> 00:27:57.500 to this church. 00:27:58.159 --> 00:27:58.399 Pastor, 00:27:58.459 --> 00:27:58.979 I just need you 00:27:58.979 --> 00:27:59.539 to pray through 00:27:59.539 --> 00:28:00.019 this matter 00:28:00.019 --> 00:28:00.559 with me. 00:28:01.219 --> 00:28:02.240 Whatever it is 00:28:02.240 --> 00:28:02.559 that God 00:28:02.559 --> 00:28:03.119 would have you do, 00:28:03.179 --> 00:28:03.740 you can do it 00:28:03.740 --> 00:28:04.479 in the pew 00:28:04.479 --> 00:28:05.099 where you are, 00:28:05.179 --> 00:28:05.599 you can do it 00:28:05.599 --> 00:28:05.919 with me, 00:28:05.979 --> 00:28:06.279 you can do it 00:28:06.279 --> 00:28:06.719 at this altar, 00:28:07.059 --> 00:28:07.479 you can do 00:28:07.479 --> 00:28:08.159 whatever God 00:28:08.159 --> 00:28:08.679 tells you to do, 00:28:08.719 --> 00:28:09.139 but don't 00:28:09.139 --> 00:28:10.919 do anything 00:28:10.920 --> 00:28:11.460 less. 00:28:14.460 --> 00:28:15.300 Jesus has come 00:28:15.300 --> 00:28:16.000 by this morning. 00:28:18.759 --> 00:28:19.500 Call on Him. 00:28:20.940 --> 00:28:21.759 Come to Him. 00:28:24.060 --> 00:28:24.720 Believe Him. 00:28:26.740 --> 00:28:27.400 Follow Him. 00:28:28.820 --> 00:28:29.580 Lord Jesus, 00:28:29.740 --> 00:28:30.640 lead us to just 00:28:30.640 --> 00:28:31.220 simply do 00:28:31.220 --> 00:28:31.940 what you tell us 00:28:31.940 --> 00:28:32.340 to do, 00:28:32.779 --> 00:28:33.600 to trust you 00:28:33.600 --> 00:28:34.100 with it all, 00:28:34.180 --> 00:28:34.400 Father, 00:28:34.480 --> 00:28:34.880 I pray. 00:28:35.840 --> 00:28:36.840 In Jesus' name, 00:28:37.180 --> 00:28:37.500 amen. 00:28:37.500 --> 00:28:37.600 Amen.