The Hope of the Blind Man Luke 18:35-43 Encounters with Jesus

INTRODUCTION What the blind man truly needed, could not be provided by the wealth around him To place our hope in anything, save Jesus Christ, is to seek disappointment To become enamored with this world, is to seek those things which care nothing for you

How do I develop hope in my life HOPE - THE PRODUCT OF A REASONING MIND NOT WISHFUL THINKING What is hope? Why is it so important? How do I develop hope in my life

HOPE - THE PRODUCT OF A REASONING MIND NOT WISHFUL THINKING The phrase “son of David” offers a strong clue as to why he was so determined This Messianic title spoke of his connection with the Prophets These prophecies served as and evidentiary basis for the hope this blind man clung to

HOPE - THE PRODUCT OF A REASONING MIND NOT WISHFUL THINKING Hope is desire plus expectation built upon legitimate promise (Rom 15:8-12) Hope is confidence placed in the promise maker (Rom 4:18-21) Hope is trust that the promise maker has both the ability and the inclination to fulfill His promise (Romans 5:9-10; 8:23-2)

TRUE HOPE CANNOT BE QUENCHED BY THE VOICE OF THE UNBELIEVER The crowed tried to silence Bartimaeus, but he would not be quieted Standing against the crowd brought him to Jesus’ attention There are many voices that seek to quench our hope

TRUE HOPE CANNOT BE QUENCHED BY THE VOICE OF THE UNBELIEVER The materialist – all that is real is that which we can experience with our sense The naysayer– attempts to destroy our faith that the Bible is reliable We must “give an answer for the hope that is within us” 1Pet 3:15 "15But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;" 1 Peter 3:15

TRUE HOPE HAS A READY ANSWER When Jesus spoke to the blind man he had a ready answer We must not be blind to our weaknesses and short comings We must have the object of our hope fixed firmly in our minds

THROUGH OUR HOPE WE CAN BE MADE WHOLE The power is not in hope, but our hope is in the power True hope does not place its confidence in the ability of man, but in the omnipotence of God We can be healed just like the blind man