The Way of Life

But we begin our worship this evening. We're going to sing to God's praise.

We're singing in Psalm 146 in the Singed Psalms Version, page 191.

Psalm 146 on page 191. We're going to sing from verse 5 down to the end of the psalm.

The tune is Sussex, Psalm 146 at verse 5.

Blessed is the one who truly looks for help to Jacob's God.

Blessed is the one who places all his hope upon the Lord.

He who made the earth and heaven and the seas with all their store.

He who keeps his every promise, who is faithful evermore.

We'll sing from verse 5 down to the end of the psalm.

To God's praise we stand to sing.

Blessed is the one who truly looks for help to Jacob's God.

Blessed is the one who places all his hope upon the Lord.

He who made the earth and heaven and the seas with all their store.

He who keeps his every promise, who is faithful evermore.

He delivers from oppression and relieves the hungry flight.

He releases those in prison to the blight the Lord gives sight.

Those who are by town he raises.

God delights in righteousness.

He protects and cares for strangers, widows and the fatherless.

He frustrates the wicked's purpose.

So the Lord through endless days reigns to every generation.

Praise your God, O Zion, praise.

Let's unite our hearts in prayer.

Let us pray.

O Lord, our gracious God, we are blessed to be called the children of God.

We are blessed to be able to call upon you as our Father in heaven.

We are blessed to be able to sing praise to you and to come and offer up our worship to you for all your goodness to us.

For the blessings that are ours through your word, through your spirit, through your son, Christ Jesus.

We thank you for this, your day.

We thank you that is a day for the very purpose in which we have spent it in worshiping you, in coming and hearing your word, fellowshipping with one another, gathering round to lift up our voices to you in praise and prayer.

We thank you for this, Lord, to receive from you, Lord.

We thank you for this, Lord, to your heart, to your heart, for your heart, and to your heart.

We thank you for this, Lord, that as we gather this evening too, that we come with that sense of thankfulness for the great sacrifice that was made for us.

And we thank you that we can sing and echo these words of the psalm.

Blessed is the one who truly looks for help to Jacob's God.

Blessed is the one who places all his hope upon the Lord.

And may we seek to do that once again this evening, and not just this evening or today, but in all the days ahead, that we would go on in the wake ahead, seeking to do all these things, to place our hope upon the Lord, to continue to look to you as the one who made the earth and the heaven and the seas and all their store.

We thank you for the wonder of the world.

Glorify and praise your name, O Lord, to glorify and praise your name all our days.

But yet, O Lord, as we think of the remembrance that we have had today, we remember that Jesus came to die for us, for we are sinners.

That in our relationship with you there is a breakdown in it because of sin.

There is a great void that came between you and your people.

But yet we thank you, Lord, that even though it was all of us running away from you, turning our back to you and seeking to worship other gods,

that you have remembered us and that you continue to call us to yourself.

That you continue to remind us that all our life is found in you.

That it is only in you that we live, move, and have our being.

And we pray, Lord, that we will evermore depend upon you.

That we will look to you for all the grace that we need for day to day.

That we will look to you for grace to serve you, to love you, to honour you, and to honour your people.

That you will unite us together in our hearts.

That you will bind us together in the cords of your love.

To enable us, Lord, to be your witnesses.

To enable us to be a people who will go out from here and into the week ahead,

rejoicing in the goodness of God and showing forth our praise of you.

Telling others of the wonder of the one who is able to give life and give it abundantly.

We thank you that your gospel is good news.

That is a great news for the world in which we live.

A great news of hope.

A great news that no matter what else comes our way in this world,

that in Christ we have one who will stay close.

Closer than any brother, as the word says.

And so we pray, Lord, that you will help us to go on in the strength of the Lord.

Not seeking any glory for ourselves, but seeking the glory be yours.

For worthy is the Lamb who was slain.

And so, Lord, we thank you for our praying people here.

We thank you for the longing, the desire you put in our hearts to be united together today

and in all the times of worship we have.

And we pray that you will continue to increase that desire.

Not just to be together on the Lord's Day or the midweek, but to fellowship with one another.

To enjoy the company of one another.

Encouraging one another.

Helping one another.

Praying for one another.

May you make us a community of your people for whom it is such a natural thing

to be united together in one spirit, one mind, one heart, under one Christ.

We pray, Lord, that that would be something that would spread throughout our community,

throughout our islands, throughout our land, and throughout the world.

That your people will be built up and strengthened to all ends of the earth.

And we thank you, Lord, that you are indeed a God who is building his church.

That you are the one who is at work near and far.

That you are the one who is calling a people to himself.

That you are the one who will frustrate the wicked's purpose in this world.

When we see so much wickedness around us, Lord, we thank you that you are the one who is able

to frustrate these purposes for which wicked men turn their hands to.

We think of all that is wrong in our world.

And we think of the wickedness that we see near and far.

We pray, Lord, that you will have mercy.

That you will come in your power.

That you will direct men and women, boys and girls, to turn from their evil ways.

And to turn to you.

We thank you that your reign is to every generation.

And that for that we are able to praise your name.

And to lift up our prayers in a sense of hope.

We come in faith, O Lord, and help us that our faith will increase.

That when we feel weak, Lord, you will give us strength.

That when we feel that sense of unable to go on, Lord, that you will uphold us and strengthen us.

That you will guide our every step.

That you will sustain us on this journey.

And we thank you, Lord, that we come with that sense of prayer for one another.

And we think of all that's going on in our communities, in our homes, in our families just now, Lord.

We continue to remember those with particular needs.

Those who are unwell.

Those who are grieving.

Those who are going through various times of distress and trials in their lives.

Lord, we thank you that you know each and every one.

That you are able to bind up the brokenhearted.

That you are able to lift up those who are bowed down.

That you are the one who protects and cares for the strangers, the widows, the fatherless.

That you are the one who releases those in prison.

That you are the one who gives the blind their sight.

That you are the one who has all power and authority over all things.

That you will draw near to all your people.

To all who call upon you.

To all who call upon you in truth.

And Lord, we ask that you will continue with us this evening as we worship your name.

As we open your word together.

A word again that reminds us of why you came.

That we might have life and have a life abundantly.

and we pray Lord that you will continue to teach us through your word to guide her every step by it

and to live according to your truth so bless us in all that we do Lord the reading of your word

the singing of your praise help us to lift our voices up to you with joy with delight as offering

up our praise to the only one who is worthy bless our fellowship this evening too as we thank you

to be able to share in these times together we pray that you will encourage us through it that

you will bless Martin as he comes to speak to us at it Lord help us to pray for him and be encouraged

by him and that he would be encouraged through coming to speak to us and Lord go before us in

the week ahead be with us in all we seek to do in the meetings of our church as a congregation in so

many different ways whether it's in person in prayer meetings and serving you in different ways

whether it's online as a focal gather on Tuesday to have a time of prayer with Muriel Lord we remember

her and pray for her that you will surround her and bless her and keep her make your face to shine

upon her may she be encouraged as she serves you and as she encourages us Lord to look faithfully to

you and to trust in you so Lord hear all our prayers go before us in all our needs and pardon us for all

our sin as we confess them anew this evening hour Lord we fall short of your glory so often but we thank

you for the forgiveness that you give so Lord hear us and go before us now and all we ask we ask in Jesus

precious name and for his sake amen

well again we'll sing to God's praise this time in Psalm 23 and we'll sing Psalms page 28 of the Psalm book

Psalm 23 on page 28 again we'll sing the whole of this Psalm the tune is Tarawathi

the Lord is my shepherd no one shall I know he makes me lie down where the green pastures grow he

leads me to rest where the calm waters flow again this Psalm is our Psalm we sing often maybe not to

sing Psalms version as often but the words constantly remind us that our life our hope is found in the Lord

who is our shepherd so we'll sing the whole of this Psalm to God's praise

the Lord is my shepherd no one shall I know he makes me lie down where the green pastures grow

he leads me to rest where the calm waters flow my wandering steps he brings back to his way in straight paths of righteousness making me stay

and this he has done his great name to display

though I walk in this valley where darkness is near

because you are with me no evil I'll fear your road and your staff bring me comfort and cheer

in the sight of my enemies at able you spread the isle of rejoicing you pour on my head my cup overflows and I'm graciously fed

so surely your covenant mercy and grace will follow me closely in all of my ways

I will dwell in the house of the Lord almighty

we'll turn together to read in the gospel of Mark

we're reading in chapter 10

we take up our reading at verse 32

Mark's gospel chapter 10

I'm taking up our reading at verse 32

and we read down to the end of this chapter

Jesus and the disciples and the crowd are here traveling on their way up to Jerusalem on their way to Jerusalem just before the crucifixion

and as we see they come to the town of Jericho

and as they're leaving Jericho

they come to this encounter with Bartimaeus which is going to be our focus this evening

but we take up our reading at verse 32

and they were on the road going up to Jerusalem and Jesus was walking ahead of them

and they were amazed and those who followed were afraid

taking the twelve again he began to tell them what was to happen to him saying

see we are going up to Jerusalem and the son of man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes

and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles

and they will mock him and spit on him and flog him and kill him

and after three days he will rise

and James and John the sons of Sebedee came up to him and said to him

teacher we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you

and he said to them what do you want me to do for you

and they said to him grant us to sit one at your right hand and one at your left in your glory

Jesus said to them you do not know what you are asking

are you able to drink the cup that I drink

or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized

and they said to him we are able

and Jesus said to them the cup that I drink you will drink

and with the baptism with which I am baptized you will be baptized

but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant

but is for those for whom it has been prepared

and when the ten heard it they began to be indignant at James and John

and Jesus called them to him and said to them

you know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles

lord it over them

and their great ones exercise authority over them

but it shall not be so among you

but whoever would be great among you must be your servant

and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all

for even the son of man came not to be served

but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many

and they came to Jericho

and as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples

and a great crowd

Bartimaeus a blind beggar

the son of Timaeus was sitting by the roadside

and when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth

he began to cry out and say

Jesus son of David have mercy on me

and many rebuked him telling him to be silent

but he cried out all the more

son of David have mercy on me

and Jesus stopped and said call him

and they called the blind man saying to him

take heart get up

he is calling you

and throwing off his cloak

he sprang up and came to Jesus

and Jesus said to him

what do you want me to do for you

and the blind man said to him

Rabbi let me recover my sight

and Jesus said to him

go your way

your faith has made you well

and immediately he recovered his sight

and followed him on the way

Amen

and may God bless that reading from his word

so before we come to look at this passage

we'll sing together again in Psalm 34

in the Sing Psalms version

page 40 of the psalm book

Psalm 34

and we'll sing from verse 8 down to verse 14

Psalm 34 at verse 8

come taste and see the Lord is good

who trusts in him is blessed

oh fear the Lord you saints with need

you will not be oppressed

and then down at verse 12

we have these words

does anyone delight in life

and long to see good days

then keep your tongue from evil speech

your lips from lying ways

depart and turn from evil paths

and practice what is right

desire to know the way of peace

pursue it with your might

we'll sing from verse 8 down to verse 14

the tune is Kilmarnock

come taste and see the Lord is good

who trust in him is blessed

oh fear the Lord you saints with need

you will not be oppressed

young lions may grow weak and faint

and hunger for their food

but those who wait upon the Lord

will not lack any good

come here my children gather round

and listen to my word

and I will help you understand

how you may fear the Lord

does anyone delight in life

and long to see good days

then keep your tongue from evil speech

your lips from lying ways

depart and turn from evil paths

and practice what is right

desire to know the way of peace

pursue it with your might

well we can turn back to our reading in the Gospel of Mark chapter 10

Mark 10 · chapter mention

our focus this evening in particular is on

verse 46 down to the end of the chapter

where Jesus meets with this man Bartimaeus

and in verse 51 we read these words

after blind Bartimaeus had got up on his feet

and came running to Jesus

Jesus said to him

what do you want me to do for you

and the blind man said to him

Rabbi let me recover my sight

and Jesus said to him

go your way

your faith has made you well

and immediately he recovered his sight

and followed him on the way

as we come to the close of our communion weekend

I want to once more just consider this passage

where we read of Bartimaeus

but consider it in light of the verse that we've been thinking about

in each of the services over the weekend

considering the reason for Jesus coming into the world

and that verse has been John 10 verse 10

John 10:10

where it says

the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy

I came that they may have life

and have it abundantly

Jesus came that we might have life

and have it abundantly

and we began last evening by looking at Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy 30 · chapter mention

chapter 30

where we considered the choice that was put before the people

there

there

the choice between life

and death

Jesus came

that we might have life abundantly

but there is another who seeks to

steal and kill

and destroy

and so we often have that choice

before us

who are we listening to

which way are we going

does anyone delight in life

as the psalmist said

and we are to pursue it

with all our might

to pursue the Lord

with all our might

so we had that choice

put before us

then this morning

as we gathered for the Lord's

supper

we were considering the one who is the source of life

Jesus who gave his body

and his blood

that we might have life

through him

and tonight I want us to conclude

this theme of the way of life

looking at the way of life

the life that Jesus is able to give in abundance

and what does abundant life look like

and how do we live it

if you were to meet Bartimaeus

and be part of the crowd that was leaving Jericho

and see Bartimaeus

your first impression wouldn't be

there's one who has an abundant life

there's not someone who has life

and life to the full

he's a beggar

he's blind

and yet as we're going to see

he saw more

than those who were walking with Jesus

even at that time

he cried out in his great need

Jesus son of David

have mercy on me

his plea was for life

and as we look at the life of Bartimaeus

we see the compassion of Jesus

we thought about it recently in the Gospel of Mark

how Jesus saw the crowd and had compassion on them

well here is another instance of Jesus showing that compassion

compassion towards this blind beggar

and we see how he gives life

and life abundant to Bartimaeus

and what Bartimaeus does is follow him on the way

and that way wouldn't be easy

that way wouldn't be all perfect in every way

it would have its ups and its down

like everyone who comes to follow Jesus

and find the life that Jesus offers abundantly

is not a life separate to challenges and trials

but it's a life with that great hope

and assurance

of not just life for now

but life abundant

and life eternal

through him

a missionary society once wrote to David Livingston

after he was out in Africa for some time

and they asked him

have you found a good road to where you are

if so we want to know how to send other men to join you

well David Livingston's reply was to write back and say

if you have men who will come only if they know there is a good road

I don't want them

I want men who will come if there is no road at all

and that is the call that Jesus puts on our lives

not that the way will be easy and perfect and straightforward

he says whoever will come after me will take up his cross and follow me

there will be burdens for us in this life

but it is not without hope

it is not without the security that he is with us

that he has come to give us life

and life in abundance

because the thief comes to steal and kill and destroy

but he has come that we might have life

and so as we look at this passage in Mark

up to this point

Mark is a fast moving gospel

things move from one place to another very quickly

and here as we come into chapter 10

we are seeing Jesus, the disciples

and a crowd making their way up to Jerusalem

and they have come to Jericho

a large town about 18 miles from Jerusalem

and they have gone through this town

and as they are leaving this town

we have this wonderful encounter between Jesus and Bartimaeus

in all the accounts of Jesus meeting with people

encountering people

this one often stands out for me

we may all have our different preferences

of Jesus' encounters with different people

you might think of the woman at the well

or other people that Jesus met

so often there is very personal encounters

that Jesus has with people

but this is one of my favourites

and it is my favourite for a number of different reasons

because you see a few things here

as he meets with Bartimaeus

there is the timing of it

and there is the attitudes of those involved in it

when you think of the timing

Jesus has just told them in verse 32 to 34

of what he is going to do

as he comes to Jerusalem

they were on the road going up to Jerusalem

Jesus was walking ahead of them

and he started to explain to them

why they were going to Jerusalem

the son of man must be delivered over

to the chief priests and the scribes

they will condemn him to death

and deliver him over to the Gentiles

he is explaining to them

why they are going

and the timing in this is

he is just before his crucifixion

and yet even in the midst of this timing

there is still this purpose in what he is doing

he is on his way to Jerusalem

to fulfil this

but you might excuse him

to not want any distractions along the way

and especially a blind beggar

who is crying out at the side of the road

but then you see his attitude

it is one way he has time

when he has time for Bartimaeus

because he came

as we read in verse 45

the son of man came not to be served

but to serve and to give his life

as a ransom for many

he came that we might have life

and have it abundantly

and he came that he might meet with

the likes of Bartimaeus

who he still had time for

and his attitude was one of compassion

towards him

and it contrasts the attitude of those who were with him

the disciples

the crowd

and the attitude you see from them

is one of mocking Bartimaeus

shouting at him to be quiet

to get away

don't bother the master

and you see the attitude of James and John

in the previous section

verse 35 to 45

their attitude of wanting glory

glory for themselves

to sit one at the right

and one at the left

in glory

this is the kind of attitudes

that were there

James and John

if you just want to notice

they come to Jesus with demands

in verse 35

teacher we want you to do for us

whatever we ask of you

they are demanding

and look at what Jesus says

he said to them

what do you want me

to do for you

and what do you see

with Bartimaeus

he didn't come

making demands

he came crying out to Jesus

Jesus son of David

have mercy on me

but look at what he says in verse 51

to Bartimaeus

Jesus said to him

what do you want me to do for you

the very same question

that he'd asked of James and John

but that attitude was one of seeking glory

and you see the contrast here in Bartimaeus

when Jesus says

what do you want me to do for you

he says Rabbi

let me recover my sight

so this is a wonderful encounter

it's a reminder to us of the personal nature

of Jesus's ministry

how he came

how he had time

how he had compassion

how he came to give life

and I want us to think for ourselves this evening

of three things from Bartimaeus' experience

three things that we can so easily apply to ourselves

as we think of what is it to have abundant life

and how do we live this life of abundance

well the first thing we're going to see is his condition

Bartimaeus' condition

the second thing we'll see is his cry

and then thirdly we'll see his cure

so first of all we see Bartimaeus

and his condition

the diagnosis for Bartimaeus is bleak

in terms of what kind of life he'd had

and what the future held for him

people would have seen him as hopeless

they were leaving Jericho

with his disciples in a great crowd

Bartimaeus a blind beggar

the son of Timaeus was sitting

by the roadside

as I said this isn't someone you would look at

and think here's someone who has great hope

in his life

and the crowd mocked him

and rebuked him

but what of Bartimaeus' condition

how would you think first of all

that this is a hopeless case

well firstly he's blind

and this isn't something that was uncommon

in Jesus' day

many eye conditions

that could easily be treated today

they were incurable in Jesus' day

and people who were blind

were often cast to the side

they were often seen as a burden

to even their own families

so they were put away

and they had nowhere to turn

to be blind was to be struck down in many ways

and your case was hopeless

and the only option was

was what we see secondly about him

his condition was

he was a beggar

he was needy

he was dependent on others

and their generosity

to help him survive

and that is how he would seem

in the eyes of those

or many of the eyes of those

who are passing by

even in our own eyes

today as you read this passage

Bartimaeus initially maybe seems like just a hopeless case

and yet as you read through

you see Bartimaeus

had a greater vision than many who were passing by

he may have been physically blind

but his eyes were seeing something else on Jesus

how so?

well first of all we see that he knew what to do

Jesus and the crowd

they were leaving Jericho

on the way up to Jerusalem

and as we were thinking of this morning

this was the time

when they were going to prepare the Passover

so many people would have been making their way up to Jerusalem

just like Jesus and his disciples

going to observe the Passover

and so Bartimaeus is here

he's in the hot spot if you like

for collecting from people

it's like we would see today

people sitting outside train stations

or busy high streets

there's the prime locations

where people will fight and jostle over

to get the prime spot

where they're likely to get something

well Bartimaeus is here outside Jericho

where many people are passing by

but more importantly

although he was able to provide for his needs

in this way physically

there was something else about Bartimaeus

that would make us see that he was not a hopeless case

he was blind physically

but he was not deaf

and as he'd been hearing people passing by

he'd have been hearing

maybe over a number of weeks or even months

he'd have been hearing people talking about Jesus

he'd have been hearing what was happening

in different places through the miracles of Jesus

through the works of Jesus

he was hearing of one who was able to help

so his condition may seem hopeless initially

but actually behind it all there is hope

he was listening

he was in the right place

we ask ourselves

what is our condition today

what is your condition in this sense tonight

are you here listening to what God is saying

are you here seeing you're in the right place

that you're hearing the word of God

are you deaf

are you shunning it

or are you listening to what is being said

are you realizing the importance of it

that here we have

Jesus as it were passing by

that he is speaking to us

Bartimaeus was blind

and yet he was able to see his greatest need

and for ourselves too

surely we need to see our greatest need is Christ

our greatest need is here before us this evening

our greatest need is perhaps something

we've been hearing about over many many years

but we've been deaf to it

we've not been listening

but we see our condition

we are indeed helpless and hopeless without Christ

but here we are under his word

it is a time of opportunity

it is another time to hear the gospel

of the riches of Christ

who is able to give us life

someone else who

recognized his own condition

was the man John Newton

in many ways he had his life

all planned out

he was in the slave trade

he was making money

living a riotous life

he thought he had his life

all planned out

but then he began to realize

his condition

and that's what brought him to write those words

amazing grace

and how sweet the sound

but look at how he describes himself in that hymn

a wretch

one who was lost

one who was blind

that is how he saw his condition

but what made the difference

in his life

grace

it was grace that taught

my heart to fear

and grace my fears relieved

how precious did that grace appear

the hour I first believed

he recognized his condition

a wretch who was lost

who was lost

and who was blind

but he was able to say

I am found

and now I see

and that is the wonder

of what Jesus has come to do

to open the eyes of the blind

to help us to see him

John Newton recognized his condition

Bartimaeus recognized his condition

and if we recognize our condition today

as lost and helpless sinners

what can we do about it

how then can we find

this abundant life

that Jesus offers

well we learn again our second lesson

from Bartimaeus

what did he do?

as Jesus was passing by

what did he do?

he cried out

out

in verse 47

and when he heard

that it was Jesus of Nazareth

he began to cry out

and say

Jesus son of David

have mercy on me

what a cry

he had

and even though it goes on to say

they began to rebuke him

telling him to be silent

what did he do?

he was stubborn

he cried out all the more

son of David

have mercy on me

he wasn't going to be turned away

he had heard who Jesus was

he was hearing that he was passing by

and he cried out

he knew that Jesus could help

he would have heard of the miracles of Jesus

healing lepers

healing the demon possessed

even bringing the dead

back to life

and here is the one

who is the source

of life

and the choice

is there before Bartimaeus

do I cry out

or not?

life or death

which is it going to be?

well he cries out

and he cries out all the more

Jesus son of David

have mercy on me

and we have to recognise

who Jesus is

for ourselves

look at the way he says it

Jesus son of David

so much understanding

behind his cry

it's not just Jesus

Jesus son of David

the fulfilment of the scriptures

the promise of God

the promise of God

that he would send his son

into this world

the one who was going to come

he is here before Bartimaeus

in the same way

as he appeared to the woman of Samaria at the well

and said we know that Christ is coming

and Jesus says I who you speak of

am he

he was there

he is here with Bartimaeus

and we can cry out

to the same Jesus

ourselves

Jesus son of David

have mercy on me

that is the cry

we need to have

if we want to have

that abandoned life

if we want to know

that assurance of eternal life

we need to cry out

and sometimes it's to cry out

all the more

Jesus son of David

have mercy on me

you see Bartimaeus

he realised

what Jesus could do

and is there anyone here

who doesn't know

what Jesus can do for you

the Bible makes it so clear

what Jesus can do for you

is to give you life

and life abundantly

because the alternative is

the thief who comes

to seek to kill and destroy

but Jesus has come

that we might have life

and Bartimaeus saw

his greatest opportunity

had come

for years he would have been sitting here

a blind beggar

helpless in so many ways

but as Jesus is passing by

he realises the opportunity

and he's not going to let

this opportunity pass him by

he recognises

just like Peter and the disciples

who said

you know to whom else can we go

for you have the words of eternal life

there's nowhere else

that this help is going to come from

and for Bartimaeus

there's no other help for him

apart from in Christ

so he cries out

and he recognises that this opportunity

could easily pass him by

you know if Bartimaeus had sat silently

Jesus wasn't going to pass that way

again

he was on his way to Jerusalem

on his way

to give his life as a ransom for many

and for so many

that opportunity

you let it pass by

the cry doesn't come

and Jesus is here tonight

for Bartimaeus

no cry would have been tomorrow

just another day like the one before

the one before and the one before that

no different

but as we cry out to God for help

he is able to give us

as it were a new tomorrow

a new tomorrow where we go

in the strength of the Lord

we rejoice in the hope that he gives

the life and life abundant that he is able

to give to us

in faith

we are to recognise that this

this opportunity could easily pass

us by

and you don't want to be in that situation

where you say

if only

I had another opportunity

today

if you hear his voice

as the psalmist says

do not harden

your heart

cry out

Jesus

son of David

have mercy

on me

the third and final thing we see here

is his cure

when Jesus heard

his cry

he said

call him

and they called him

and said

take heart

get up

he is calling you

Jesus

stopped

it's an amazing

image this

the crowd rebuking

Bartimaeus

mocking

telling him to be silent

but Jesus stopping and saying

call him

the climb

up to

up to Jerusalem

facing up to the fact

that he was going to his death

Jesus has this

compassion and concern

to look at the beggar

and to have time

for him

you know in many ways

you could have thought

James and John

they would have been so much more important

than this beggar

if they were to ask

you know whatever

what do you want

we want you to do for us

whatever we ask of you

you think Jesus

just tell me

and I'll do it

but he doesn't

because

their motive

was wrong

they wanted glory

and so Jesus rebuked them

but what would they have thought now

as they're seeing Jesus

saying

those very same words

to this blind beggar

what do you want me

to do for you

but look at the simplicity

of Bartimaeus' answer

Rabbi

let me recover

my sight

who is important

to Jesus in this passage

they all are

because Jesus

is showing his compassion

to James and John

even in rebuking them

he's teaching them

what it means to be a disciple

to follow him

to follow him

you need to let go

the hope of glory

you need to let go

the sense of status

and power

whoever would be first among you

must be slave of all

he said

for even the son of man

came not to serve

to be served

but to serve

and to give his life

as a ransom for many

there was teaching in that

but he had a concern

concern

for Bartimaeus too

he was important as well

and that's a reminder to us

maybe we don't feel

important to Jesus

he won't trouble himself

with me

he'll see nothing in me

well what he sees is

that you are made in his image

that you have a soul

that is precious to him

and that is why he came

because the thief

wants to steal and kill

and destroy that soul

but Jesus has come

that you might have life

and have it abundantly

so as he says

what do you want me

to do for you

he says Rabbi

let me recover my sight

let me see

isn't that a beautiful response

of all the things

he could have asked for

he just says

Rabbi, teacher

let me see

and isn't that the response

that we should all want

not glory

not status

not power

not any of these things

but just to come

Lord have mercy on me

let me see

see

because this is about

not just seeing

physically

but seeing

spiritually

this is coming

as you see

what Jesus' response

go your way

your faith

has made you well

the faith was there

and Jesus opened his eyes

and I'm sure for many here tonight

the faith is there

faith is there

but your eyes

but your eyes just need

to be opened

and that's our prayer

Rabbi

teacher

let me see

sometimes we just need

to be disturbed

in our life

and there's a prayer

often attributed to

Francis Drake

and it's a prayer

that we could all pray

where he says this

disturb us Lord

when we are too well pleased

with ourselves

when our dreams have come through

because we have dreamed too little

when we arrive safely

because we have sailed too close to the shore

the shore

disturb us Lord

when with the abundance of things we possess

we have lost our thirst

for the waters of life

having fallen in love with life

we have ceased to dream of eternity

and in our efforts to build a new earth

we have allowed our vision of the new heaven to dim

disturb us

disturb us

that's sometimes

what we need

disturb us

when we see the abundance of things we possess

and yet we have lost our thirst

for the waters of life

may God give us a thirst for him

a desire to see him

that as we come away

from the Lord's table today

as we come away from the Lord's day

and this season of communion

that we would come away with the response

of Bartimaeus

Rabbi let me see

and to know the blessing of the cure that Jesus gives

go your way

your faith has made you well

and to respond

like Bartimaeus

who immediately recovered his sight

and followed him

on the way

let us look

to Jesus

and see the one

who is able to give us life

and life abundant

and follow him

on the way

let us pray

our Father in heaven

we give you thanks

oh Lord

for your

remembrance of us

for your compassion towards us

that is so great

that despite

our hopelessness

despite all

the scars of sin

in our lives and in our hearts

that you are the one who shows us

so much compassion

that you are the one who even comes

and you this evening

asking us

what you want me

to do for you

and we pray Lord

to have the faith of Bartimaeus

and the hope of Bartimaeus

to cry out to the Lord

Lord Jesus

son of David

have mercy on me

and as we come

help us to see

help us to see you

and follow you on the way

as we ask it all

in Jesus name

Amen

We'll conclude

this evening by singing

to God's praise

the words of

Psalm 16

in the singed Psalms

on page 17

from verse 8

down to the end

of the Psalm

a wonderful Psalm

that reminds us

as we come away

from the Lord's table

how we are to live

we are to go on

in the life

of the strength

of the Lord

is to set him

constantly

before us

before me

constantly

I set

the Lord alone

because he is

at my right hand

I'll not be

overthrown

therefore my heart

is glad

my tongue

with joy

will sing

my body too

will rest secure

in hope

unwavering

we'll sing

from verse 8

to the end of the Psalm

to God's praise

verse 9

forget

before me

constantly

Eve

set the heart

alone

because

He

ила

set

the heart

alone

because

He

At my right hand I'll not be overthrown.

Therefore my heart is glad, my tongue which I will sing,

My body too will rest secure in open way for me.

For you will not allow my soul in death to stay,

Nor will you leave your Holy One to see the tomb decay.

You have made known to me the path of life divine.

This shall I know at your right hand, Joy from your face will shine.

Now as we're going next door, I'll give thanks for the food that's been prepared

and then close with a benediction.

And after the benediction, if you'll allow James to go to the main door,

I'll go to the door to my left hand side here.

Lord, our gracious God, we continue to look to you for all the good gifts

that you provide for us day by day.

We give you thanks, O Lord, for this day, for our fellowship,

for the blessings you have bestowed upon us, Lord, with encouragement,

with your word, with sacrament.

And we pray, Lord, that your blessing would go with us,

that we will continue in our fellowship next door to enjoy your presence

and your peace with us,

that you will bless our time and bless all the provision that has been made for us.

Lord, we thank you for all who help in every way in serving you and your people here.

And now may grace, mercy, and peace from God,

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit rest upon and abide with you all,

now and forevermore.

Amen.

Amen.