Verses: Mark 10: 46-52
In the process of running in the vision, God has called us to make disciples so that people can come and understand the goodness of God. In the process of running in the vision and conquering the vision, we expect the following 9 things to happen:
1) Dissatisfaction with our Present Condition
46 Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus was sitting by the roadside begging. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout….
When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazereth, he began to shout. If Bartimaeus had been contented with the status quo, he would never have had experienced the miracle of healing and restoration.
This is an analogy for our lives. Some of us are doing badly, we are behaving just like beggars, but we are satisfied and live with the deception that “my life is like that”. If this is the case, we will not have a breakthrough. Some of us are doing well. If we dream for God, our lives will be even more interesting, challenging and exciting.
Challenge: Be DISSATISFIED with our present condition. To be dissatisfied means that we know that something better will come.
2) Uncover our Potential with Certainty
47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
First key phrase: Jesus of Nazereth – Carpenter’s Son.
Second key phrase: Son of David – King David is the most respected king of the Jews.
There is a major difference in the ways Bartimaeus sees Jesus. He sees the potential in Jesus – The Son of David. The learning point is that we need to uncover the potential in ourselves. We have to be certain of our potential. Sometimes the spirit of God speaks to us and tells us about our potential, but we are doubtful. We do not know we have TREMENDOUS potential because the spirit of God lives in us – the same God who parted the red sea, who provided manna for forty years, who helped Elijah to call down fire. The same God who lives in us gives us tremendous potential for our present and future.
3) Unleash the Power of Confession.
47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
By the confession of our mouth, we are saved by God. God said “Let there be light” and there was light. Spoken words are very powerful. Many people are traumatised by spoken words uttered lightly during their childhood. If words from normal people can be so powerful, what more than words spoken in faith and supported by the POWER of God? When we say “I’m going to be a failure”, what we are really doing is to speak the curse into reality.
4) Undaunted Perseverance in Conquest
48 Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
In life, obstacles will come. People may speak discouraging words such as “you cannot make it” but nevertheless, we must persevere. We must learn to be undaunted in spirit. I have met a lot of challenges over the years yet I feel that “obstacles are not there to stop him but for me to clear”. Press on and be a conqueror!
5) Ultimate Pause that Calls
49a Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.”
We will hear the affirmation from Jesus. In the stillness, we will feel the ultimate pause that calls us. We need to hear from God intimately so that we can be sure that it is He who has called.
6) Unexpectedly People Changed
49b …So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.”
People who rejected previously will suddenly change when the favour of God comes and heaven opens. I once had a dinner with high authority leaders in China. There had been many people who tried their best to interact with them but failed. When God's favour went with me, people just become open towards me because God will change the hardened hearts of those people into open hearts. That very night, that leader met Jesus over our dining table at a restaurant besides the Western Lake in Hangzhou. Those were the people who said"Quiet, quiet", while now they say "cheer up, cheer up!"
7) Unbounded by Possessions and Comforts
50 Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.
In our lives, we will come to a point when God will challenge us and ask us whether we are willing to give up our possessions and comforts. Some of us have big ambitions and are not willing to give up. I used to dream of being a principal under MOE. But as I gave up my 'principal possession', I now become the young principal of the School of Leaders of 3000 members.
Today, I receive an email that there is a China Nation-wide Conference and I have been invited to be a speaker. My profile in China will be highly raised as I will have the opportunity to go to round tables and meet the experts in different fields. I will be flying to China more frequently to address the people.
When we dare to give to God whatever little we have, God will give something better and bigger back to us.
8) Unashamed in the Presence of Christ
51 “What do you want me to do for you? Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”
Bartimaeus came face to face with Jesus. Do not be ashamed when God comes to visit us. I once felt ashamed when God visited me and miraculously healed my fractured left ankle. God often want to come to him with opened arms but we often misread him, thinking that we should focus on our imperfection. We have to tell God our vision and be unashamed about our needs and dreams in His presence.
9) United with the Person of Christ.
52 “Go,” said Jesus, “Your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.
Bartimaeus did not go after he was healed. He chose to follow Jesus. He knew that it was more important to follow the Healer than just receive the healing.
It is time to Conquer!
We have to pass on His love for people and help them to tap on the grace of God. We have to help them to uncover the veil to see the blessings of God.
Stage 1: If we are too satisfied, we cannot conquer.
Stage 2: If we have no confidence, we cannot conquer.
Stage 3: If we do not dare to confess, we cannot conquer. We will miss out on a powerful weapon. Confession strengthens our inner man and it strengthens our faith. We have to keep ourselves aligned so that our faith will rise up.
Stage 4: If we give up, we cannot conquer.
Stage 5: If we are tired, we cannot conquer. We need to listen to God and hear from Him that it is truly He who has called us.
Stage 6: If we keep feeling that it is difficult to work with people, we cannot conquer. Unexpectedly, people will change so we cannot see people as who they are now.
Stage 7: If we are scared of giving up our possessions and comforts, we cannot conquer. It is time to give. Do not hold on so tightly. When we dare to let go, God will give it to us. Sometimes, the things we hold on so tightly to are simply not worth it.
Stage 8: If we are ashamed, we cannot conquer. When we come before God, we must know that God is a gracious God. We need to repent of our sins and God will receive us. There is no need to be ashamed. We should approach the throne of grace with confidence.
Stage 9: If we are not united with God, we cannot conquer. God’s heartbeat is for us to make disciples, so we must be united with Him to conquer.
Everyone must have a dream. If we do not have a dream, we need to ask God for it.
What do you see?
