Sermon Notes

GOSPEL OF MARK

Mark 8:22-30 // A Blind Man and A Bold Profession

 

INTENTIONAL

Everything Jesus does is intentional!

“'Do you not yet understand?’”-Mark 8:21

Mark 8:22-30

“And they came to Bethsaida. And some people brought to him a blind man and begged him to touch him. And he took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village, and when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, “Do you see anything?” And he looked up and said, “I see people, but they look like trees, walking.” Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. And he sent him to his home, saying, “Do not even enter the village.” And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?”  And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.”  And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” And he strictly charged them to tell no one about him.”

1. Jesus’ Work in the Blind Man’s Life Was a Work in Progress

“…and when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, “Do you see anything?” And he looked up and said, “I see people, but they look like trees, walking.” Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly.” -Mark 8:23a-25

“He did not deliver him from his blindness at once, but by degrees. He might have done it in a moment, but he chose to do it step by step.” -Jerry Vines

2. Jesus’ Work in the Disciples’ Lives Was a Work in Progress

“And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that I am?’  And they told him, ‘John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.’” -Mark 8:27b-28

“And he asked them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” -Mark 8:29

“And Jesus answered him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.’” -Matthew 16:17

He did not cure their spiritual blindness at once, but by degrees. He might have done it in a moment, but he chose to do it step by step.

Jesus’ Work in Our Lives is a Work in Progress

1. Blindness

“In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” -2 Corinthians 4:4

2. Partial Sight

“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” -2 Corinthians 3:18

“I am not what I might be, I am not what I ought to be, I am not what I wish to be, I am not what I hope to be. But I thank God I am not what I once was” -John Newton

How can we expect to really understand what we rarely spend time with?

“'Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.’” -John 16:7

“Genuine sanctification is a thing that can be seen.” -J.C. Ryle

3. Perfect Sight 

“For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.” -1 Corinthians 13:12

Sermon in a Sentence:

Jesus will use every situation, every circumstance, and every moment of your life to show you who He is and to make you more like Him.

“Who do you say that I am?”