Living Waters Christian Fellowship - Lake Nacimiento - California

35  Then it happened, as He was coming near Jericho, that a certain blind man sat by the road begging.
36 And hearing a multitude passing by, he asked what it meant.
37 So they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by.
38 And he cried out, saying, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
39 Then those who went before warned him that he should be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
40 So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be brought to Him. And when he had come near, He asked him,
41 saying, “What do you want Me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, that I may receive my sight.”
42 Then Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.”
43 And immediately he received his sight, and followed Him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.

Introduction We have needs in our lives, but Jesus has mercy on us when we call upon Him with faith in His power and goodness, and with determination.

1. Problems in life  v35

35  Then it happened, as He was coming near Jericho, that a certain blind man sat by the road begging.

a. Limitations - blind, unable to work

b. Deficits - no work, no money

c. Difficult situations - begging

Many people have limitations, deficits and difficult situations.  

Different phases in life - richer, poorer, sickness, health.  It doesn’t matter who you are, there are problems, challenges in life.

2. Jesus is here

a. Jesus  v37

37 So they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by.

Savior, Rescuer

b. Jesus of Nazareth  v37

37 So they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by.

Not some random person with a “Christ spirit”

c. Jesus Son of David  v38

38 And he cried out, saying, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

The Messiah, the Final King, powerful healer

d. Jesus is merciful  v38

38 And he cried out, saying, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

This is His nature, one of His character traits, He is merciful.  He is moved with compassion when He sees us struggling in difficult situations.  I believe He actually hates sickness, disabilities, anything which is not good in our lives.

3. We cry out for mercy  v38

38 And he cried out, saying, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

a. Cry out - not just words, but powerful, passionate, desperate.  He could be heard over the  whole crowd.

b. Mercy - not what we deserve on our own merits - His grace and mercy.  Not that we are entitled, but He is good.

4. We experience opposition  v39

39 Then those who went before warned him that he should be quiet

Some people don’t want us to receive God’s mercy.  Hinderance.

a. From the devil - He loves me, he loves me not

b. From people - Simon the Sorcerer

Acts 10:38
38 “how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

Acts 13:6-12
6 Now when they had gone through the island to Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew whose name was Bar-Jesus,
7 who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. This man called for Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God.
8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so his name is translated) withstood them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith.

9 Then Saul, who also is called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him
10 and said, “O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord?
11 “And now, indeed, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time.” And immediately a dark mist fell on him, and he went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand.
12 Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had been done, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.

There are those who would like to oppose anything good God would like to do for us.  They must not succeed.

39 Then those who went before warned him that he should be quiet

5. We need determination  v39

39 Then those who went before warned him that he should be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

a. Crowds can be swayed  v37,39,43

37 So they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by.

39 Then those who went before warned him that he should be quiet; 

43 And immediately he received his sight, and followed Him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.

b. But we must be determined

39 Then those who went before warned him that he should be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

It’s like he was saying, “This is my life, these are my blind eyes, this is my problem, and I’ll cry out to Jesus if I want to.”  Sometimes we need a little determination with God, and He doesn’t mind.  In fact:

6. Jesus responds to faith and determination  v40-42

40 So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be brought to Him. And when he had come near, He asked him,
41 saying, “What do you want Me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, that I may receive my sight.”
42 Then Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.”

a. Faith - not a blind leap in the dark, but firm knowledge of the merciful nature and faithful character of Jesus.  If we really knew Him, we would not doubt.

b. Determination - what if he had obeyed the crowd?  Ask, seek, knock, and keep on.  Double minded should not think they will receive anything from God.

7. The miracle of mercy  v43

43 And immediately he received his sight, and followed Him, 

How many times has God done amazing, impossible things for us because He is merciful?

8. Glory and praise to Jesus for mercy  v43

43 And immediately he received his sight, and followed Him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.

We praise God for many things, but grace and mercy are at the top of the list.

When we praise Him, something else happens:

9. More people trust Him, cry out to Him, receive His mercy

When we glorify God in front of other people for the things He has done for us, His reputation increases, more people in need have faith, call on His name, and receive help.

Many Christians don’t act very grateful, don’t praise God for what He has done in front of other people, so they never know, never trust Him or call on Him, and continue in their limitations, deficits and difficult situations.  

This crowd exploded with praise, and other people heard it.

Conclusion  In 2012 - Let the good times roll.  People have needs.  Jesus has miracles and mercy.  We need to trust Him, be determined, and praise Him, and watch the snowball effect of blessing, healing, forgiveness, reconciliation, restoration.

Talk to Him about your limitations, your deficits, your difficult situations.  Cry out to Him, call on His Name, His power, His goodness, His merciful nature.  Cry out to Jesus, your Messiah,
“Jesus, Son of David, Have Mercy on Me!”