Questions

 

Mark 10:46-52 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.

 

We visited our church away from church during our vacation today. Pastor Herk started a new sermon series titled “The Questions Jesus Asked”. Open-ended questions opens doors to meaningful conversations over things that really matter. In our mundane daily routines of this life, we tend to set “cruise control” and follow set patterns and practices. But, if you knew that tomorrow was going to be your last day on earth, what would you do differently? What would your last message to those closest to you be? Since tomorrow is not guaranteed for anyone in this mortal existence, what are we waiting for? Live like you were dying to be with the Lord.  

 

We hear quite a bit about quality of life, but what constitutes “quality” [which is a comparative rank; a subjective condition in relation to others] and what does it depend upon? We want to experience the “real life” and be “truly” living, but what is the real life and who determine what that is or looks like? What makes you feel good? Think about it: What or who do you live for? Is there any person or cause worth dying for? The answers you give may reveal your actual heart and priorities. 

 

Jesus tells us in John 10:10, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. The Apostle Paul explains to us in Galatians 5:22-25 that the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,  faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Now, there is where we will find authentic happiness, the real life and truly live. Doubt, fear and selfish pride have no place in God’s economy of godly prosperity. We are all sinners saved by grace through faith if we believe, receive and cleave to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. 

 

Proverbs 8:13 “The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.”

 

D.T. Niles, coined a phrase that sums up what it means to witness for Christ.  He said evangelism is “one beggar telling another beggar where to find food.” Revelation 3:17 says ”For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.” Humility and gratitude are the center of the servant’s heart. Who are you praying to and what are you praying for? Faith asks for what you need, but ambition asks for what you desire. The Lord Jesus asks us, “What do you want me to do for you that only God can do?” In light of the Gospel, may we think deeply upon that question.

 

In Christ, Brian