What Do You Need?

Scripture Text

Luke 18:35-43

Intro: Many people go through life doing things the same old way and expecting different results. This story from the bible gives us five things that a person must do to change an unwanted lifestyle or to receive any need from God. May God reveal to us today through His Spirit the power, compassion and love of Jesus Christ toward people who seek Him.

I. We must recognize our need. Luke 18:35 (NKJV) Then it happened, as He was coming near Jericho, that a certain blind man sat by the road begging.

 a. What is the greatest need in your life? Be very specific!

 b. This man was blind and poor. He was as needful as one could be!

II. People must hear about Jesus. Luke 18:36-37 (NKJV) ³⁶ And hearing a multitude passing by, he asked what it meant. 37 So they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by.

 a. The purpose of the church. Romans 10:14 (NKJV) How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? The very reason the church exists is to preach the gospel of the Kingdom. Matthew 9:35 (NKJV)  Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.

III. We must believe the word concerning who Jesus is? Luke 18:38 (NKJV)  And he cried out, saying, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"

 a. The blind man believed the Old Testament scriptures concerning who Jesus really was.

 b. Son of David was the Jewish name for the Messiah whom God prophesied would come to save them and be their King and rule and reign over the earth.

 c. The New testament tells us that Jesus is the only begotten of the Father. He has come so that we might have life and have it more abundantly. We must believe He is the Son of God and possesses the awesome power and authority of God over everything.

     Matthew 28:18 (NKJV)  And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.

IV. We must cry out in earnest and persistent prayer to Jesus. Luke 18:38-39 (NKJV) 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!" What if he hadn’t asked? There  were many people around Jesus but they didn’t ask!

 a. Don’t be discouraged by people. Some will try to dissuade you from praying for your earnest need. Some of the people with Jesus rebuked the blind man. They tried to silence and stop him from crying out to the Lord. He had every reason to be discouraged, for he was blind and could not see to make his way through the crowd. All he could do was shout out even though they were trying to stop him from doing that. He could have easily quit and given up, for it seemed so useless. He would not quit and would not be silenced. Jesus was his hope, the only chance he had for mercy. No other man could have mercy upon him or meet his need. For a true change in your life to happen, Jesus is the only One who can make the change needed.

     We must come to Him in believing, trusting faith. Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV)  But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of [those who diligently seek Him.]

V. Jesus responds to our earnest persistent prayer of faith.  Luke 18:40-41 (NKJV) 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."

 a. Must be specific in our prayers. [v:41] Sincere prayers are to be specific.

 b. The blind man believed in the One who stood before Him, believing what he had heard: that this Jesus was the Messiah who possessed the very power of God. He was able to do anything, so the blind man asked for the greatest need in his life to be met. There was no need to ask for anything less, for Jesus was the One possessing the power of God. In verse 42 Jesus answered his prayer request! his faith had made him whole Jesus said! Jesus is asking, “What do you want Me to do for you?

Invitation: If you don’t know Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord, you definitely need a change in your life. You need the change that Christ’s forgiveness brings. You must be born again the bible says to be able to have eternal life in Heaven. Confess your sins against God to Jesus and ask Him to forgive and save you from Hell right now.

When!

Scripture Text Psalms 56:3-4

Intro: Anxieties will arise in our lives, not only because this is a fallen world, but God can use them also in order to teach us faith. Sometimes we must be brought to the end of ourselves so we will choose to trust the Father. This is a necessary lesson and a vital part of maturing us as believers. God desires that we grow in our trust of Him.

I. Times of fearfulness will come into our lives. Psalms 56:3 (NKJV) Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.

 a. David said when I am afraid. We have many enemies and problems to face each day. Psalms 56:2 (NKJV) My enemies would hound me all day, For there are many who fight against me, O Most High. 

 b. There are physical and spiritual enemies who hound and fight against us. Enemies are sent of Satan to destroy us. They come to keep us from experiencing God’s best for our lives. Fighting against these enemies burden us down and put pressure on us.

II. When fearful times come we choose our course of action. Psalms 56:3b I will trust in You. I will not fear!

 a. We either choose to be afraid and succumb to those fears or we can trust in God. It’s a matter of the will. David I will trust in God. The bible says in  Philippians 4:6-7 ⁶ Be anxious (fearful) for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

  III. Our trust is in the character of God and the faithfulness of His promises. Psalms 56:4 (NKJV) In God (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?

a. God is more powerful than all our foes combined, and He has promised in His word to protect us from harm. Nothing can penetrate the protective hedge which He sets up around us except by His permissive will. This is why we can trust in God without a fear. What can man do to us? Romans 8:31 -32 (NKJV) What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? ³² He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

CONCLUSION: So today, is your heart in despair? Are questions, painful thoughts, or fears flooding your mind? Is there an overwhelming situation that you cannot handle? So Do as David did and come back to the truth of your Father’s perfect provision and unfailing care for your every need. God has not and never will abandon you. Hebrews 13:5-6 (NKJV) ⁵b For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." ⁶ So we may boldly say: "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" [Isaiah 41:11-13] Isaiah 41:11-13 (NKJV) ¹¹ "Behold, all those who were incensed against you Shall be ashamed and disgraced; They shall be as nothing, And those who strive with you shall perish. ¹² You shall seek them and not find them-- Those who contended with you. Those who war against you Shall be as nothing, As a nonexistent thing. ¹³ For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, 'Fear not, I will help you.' Whenever you start to feel afraid, remember that God is holding you by your right hand. Nothing can separate you from His presence. Trust Him to help you!

Invitation: Have you trusted in God’s Son Jesus to forgive your sins against Father God and save you from Hell? If not you can choose this day to be forgiven and set free from the penalty of your sin by Asking Jesus to forgive you and save you!                                  Prayer: Lord, speak to the heart of those who may need to trust in Jesus for their salvation and give them the grace to respond. Lord, help us that are Your children when we are afraid. Help us to trust You and have faith in Your provisions and protection. Thank You for loving us and draw us all closer to You in Jesus’ holy name. Amen!

Overcoming Problems

Scripture Text John 11

Intro: In John Chapter 11 we are given some keys as to how to overcome every problem we might face in this life. If we do what Lazarus’ family did, we will have the same result. All we need is faith that Jesus hears our prayers, loves us, and cares for us at all times.

I. We are to call on Jesus for help. John 11:3 (NKJV) Therefore the sisters sent to Him, saying, "Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick."

 a. The very first step in overcoming life’s situations is to call on Jesus. This family had a very serious problem but they knew what to do because they had an intimate relationship with Jesus. Jesus is waiting for us to call on Him. He is always near!

II. Remember Jesus is never late. John 11:6-7 (NKJV) ⁶ So, when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was. ⁷ Then after this He said to the disciples, "Let us go to Judea again."

 a. Jesus knows when it’s the right time to answer our prayers. He is always working out His plan for our life. When He seems to delay the answer it is for a good reason. In this case Jesus waited two days before He begins to answer their prayer, but there was a very good reason. John 11:4 (NKJV)  When Jesus heard that, He said, "This sickness is not unto death, “but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it." John 11:15 (NKJV)  And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, “that you may believe.” Nevertheless let us go to him." These underlined scriptures give us the reason why Jesus waited. We are to wait on Jesus to answer our prayers knowing He is working out His will for all concerned. Every prayer Jesus answers is to bring glory to God and Himself and to increase our faith in Him and His love for us. A strong faith in God can overcome every obstacle.

III. Remember Jesus loves and cares for us greatly. John 11:5 (NKJV)  Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. John 11:35-36 (NKJV) ³⁵ Jesus wept. ³⁶ Then the Jews said, "See how He loved him!"

  a. They loved Jesus and He loved them in verse 5. If you ever doubt Jesus’ love for you look at the cross. Look at what God says in His word in Romans 8:31-32 (NKJV) ³¹ What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? ³² He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

 God handed His own Son over to die for us—in our behalf, in our stead, in our place, as our substitute. God spared not His own Son; He delivered Christ Jesus up for us all. What a glorious, marvelous, wonderful love! And just how wonderful His love is can be clearly seen in this: it was while we were sinners, acting and rebelling against God, that He gave His Son to die for us. Then He asks us a question. Will God not also freely give us all things through this same Jesus who died for us all?

IV. Remember Jesus has power over every circumstance we face. John 11:41-42 (NKJV)
⁴¹ Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, "Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. ⁴² And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me."

 a. Lazarus had been in that tomb four days so there was no doubt that he was truly dead. Jesus told them to take the stone away from the tomb. Jesus had prayed and then He thanked the Father for the assurance that He always heard Him. God also hears every prayer we pray if we have that faith in His word because His word tells us so.

 b. The great shout of power! John 11:43-44 (NKJV) ⁴³ Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come forth!" ⁴⁴ And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Loose him, and let him go."

     Jesus’ voice is effective and life giving!

     Jesus cried out with a loud voice and dead Lazarus came forth out of the tomb bound in his grave cloths and face wrapped in a cloth. Then Jesus commanded them to take off his grave wrappings and let him go.

Conclusion: Jesus will always answer the prayer of faith! He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. What He did then He will do today when we go to Him in earnest and mountain moving faith just believing Him to always answer us with the right answer. Sometimes we will have to wait for His timing because He is working out His plan for the good of all concerned. We must remember Jesus loves us greatly and cares deeply about our situation. We are to always remember that Jesus has the power over all situations and circumstances.

Invitation: Have you asked Jesus to forgive and save you from your sins? If not, the bible says today is the accepted time, the day of salvation if you will hear His voice. May this message today penetrate your heart and soul so you never forget it and may you live with the assurance of Jesus’ love and care for you and your family forever!