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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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)

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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