LIFE GROUP LESSON Image Bearers ● Week of March 1

Jesus was NOT a great man. Jesus was and is God! So often we project upon the Lord our limited understanding. Jesus Himself said, ‘Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father’ (John 14:9). The entirety of the Bible points to the Son. In the Christmas story, both Mary and Joseph were divinely instructed to name God’s Son, ‘Jesus’ (Jeshua), because He would be the One to save His people from sin (Luke 1:31, Matthew 1:21). And although the Christ of God emptied Himself when He put on flesh (Philippians 2:5) Jesus’ mission remained clear: redemption. Many spiritual leaders questioned Jesus’ identity. At one point, the ‘teachers of religious law’ even accused Jesus of being possessed by Satan (Mark 3:22). It is remarkable that while public opinions varied, forces of darkness always knew who Jesus was. Once when Jesus healed a man called Legion, the demons with-in the man cried out: “Why are you interfering with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In the name of God, I beg you, don’t torture me!” (Mark 5:7) The evil spirits knew Jesus’ power and thus, submitted to the authority of God. Likewise, in our Scripture today, when a blind beggar calls out to the Lord, his eyes are immediately opened. Read Mark 10:46-52 1. Jesus is passing through Jericho on His way to Jerusalem where He will face

betrayal and death (vv17, 32). Even so, when the Lord hears a blind beggar calling out to Him, Jesus stops and says: ‘Tell him to come here.’ Look close-ly at vv47-51. Realizing this was his chance, list at least five things the blind beggar does in faith just before his healing. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) What does Jesus ask Bartimaeus (the blind beggar)? (v51a) What is Bartimaeus’ response/request of the Lord? (v51b)

Bartimaeus makes the connection that Jesus is the Son of David. Bartimaeus also refers to Jesus as “my Rabbi” (Teacher). It is unclear as to whether or not this blind beggar understood Jesus’ role in God’s salvation to the world, but the gospel writers together point to these conclusions. Jesus is the fulfillment of the Law, all the prophets, and the Psalms (Luke 24:44). Jesus is the One who will one day restore the fallen house of David (Jeremiah 23:5-6). The entirety of Scripture points to God’s salvation through His Christ (Greek christos, Hebrew mashiakh – meaning ‘anointed one’) and yet, Jesus seems to refer more often to Himself in third party as the ‘Son of Man’ (for example, see Mark 10:33, 45 and Luke 17:22-30). While demons know the authority of God’s Son (Mark 5:7-11), demons do not ‘put their faith’ in Christ. Notice Jesus says to Bartimaeus, “Go, for your faith has healed you” (Mark 10:52a). Faith is the differentiating factor, the watershed dividing two great continents of outcome – sight or remaining in darkness, free-dom or chains, honor or dishonor, life or death. “Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see” (Hebrews 11:1). And Jesus says: “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible” (Matthew 17:20). Faith is a personal resolve to believe. 2. The opening statement (and title for this sermon series) may initially cause

some of us to have push-back. But think about it, just who is Jesus to you? Is Jesus merely a great man, or is Jesus God? Have you placed your faith (deep abiding trust) in the Son of God? If so, what difference is your faith (in the Son of God) making in your day-to-day living?

No one’s faith is perfect. We often experience doubt when challenges, difficul-ties and troubles overwhelm us. When this happens the best thing to do is bring you doubt to the Lord! Jesus told His disciples, “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love… I have told you these things so that you won’t abandon your faith… I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world” (John 15:9, 16:1, 33). 3. Colossians 2:9 says: “For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human

body.” What is our reasonable response in light of all God has done for us, according to Romans 12:1?

Bartimaeus immediately “followed Jesus down the road” (v52b). Write down at least one or two simple ways you can follow Jesus more faithfully in your day-to-day living.

Man (the first Adam) gave away the keys to life when he sinned in the Garden (Genesis 3:17-19). But the Son of Man (Jesus, the second Adam) took back the keys when He died and rose again: “I am the living One. I died, but look – I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave” (Revelation 1:18). Before taking the cross, Jesus had declared: “The Father loves me because I sacrifice my life so I may take it back again. No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded” (John 10:17-18). Many great men and women have walked this earth over the landscape of histo-ry. But no one but Jesus could take our place on the cross. No one but Jesus can walk on water, calm the storm and still the raging sea, call the lame to leap, open the ears of the deaf, give sight to the blind, raise the dead, or erase sin’s contami-nation. Jesus alone has the power to set us free! Jesus alone holds the position to authorize healing in His name. Jesus is THE way, THE truth, THE life. Jesus’ bold declaration ever-echoes through the grandstand of time:

“I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth…”

One Year Bible Reading Feb. 23: Leviticus 14:1-57, Mark 6:30-56, Psalm 40:1-10, Proverbs 10:11-12 Feb. 24: Leviticus 15:1-16:28, Mark 7:1-23, Psalm 40:11-17, Proverbs 10:13-14 Feb. 25: Leviticus 16:29-18:30, Mark 7:24-8:10, Psalm 41:1-13, Proverbs 10:15-16 Feb. 26: Leviticus 19:1-20:21, Mark 8:11-38, Psalm 42:1-11, Proverbs 10:17 Feb. 27: Leviticus 20:22-22:16, Mark 9:1-29, Psalm 43:1-5, Proverbs 10:18 Feb. 28: Leviticus 22:17-23:44, Mark 9:30-10:12, Psalm 44:1-8. Proverbs 10:19

Text: Mark 10:46-52

PLAIN TRUTH:

Only a ________________ can __________ and only

_____________ people can become a house of

__________________.

1. In faith he brought his __________.

2. In humility he quickly demonstrated ___________________.

3. In _______________ he offered a witness of ______________.

February 29 & March 1, 2020