Faithful Persistence: Redefining Identity Through Christ
Summary
In today's sermon, we explored the transformative power of persistence in faith, as exemplified by the two blind men in Matthew 20:29-34. These men, despite their physical blindness, recognized Jesus as the Son of David and persistently called out to Him for mercy. Their story is a testament to the truth that we are not defined by our limitations but by our boldness to believe and act upon that belief.
The two blind men refused to be silenced by the crowd. Instead, they shouted louder, demonstrating an unwavering faith that moved Jesus to stop and call them. Their response to Jesus' question, "What do you want me to do for you?" was simple yet profound: "We want our sight." Jesus, moved by compassion, touched their eyes, and they immediately received their sight and followed Him.
This miraculous encounter teaches us that we are not stuck unless we choose to stop. The men's physical blindness did not prevent them from taking a step of faith towards Jesus. They shouted and stepped forward, embodying the principle that what we lack in one area, we can compensate for with faith and action in another.
The sermon also highlighted the importance of discipleship, which is about redefinition. Just as the two blind men were redefined from blind beggars to sighted followers of Christ, we too are called to redefine our lives through following Jesus. Discipleship is not a passive state but an active pursuit of transformation.
Moreover, we delved into the significance of Jesus' journey to Jerusalem, where He would redefine history through His sacrifice. The crowd's fickle nature, which would soon turn from praise to condemnation, serves as a reminder that our identity must be anchored in God's unchanging love, not in the opinions of others.
Finally, we were encouraged to shout and step forward in faith, even when we cannot see the way. Our limitations are opportunities for God to demonstrate His power. Just as the blind men's shout echoed the victorious shout at Jericho, our praise and persistence can bring down walls and lead us into the promises of God.
Key Takeaways:
- The persistent faith of the two blind men teaches us that our limitations do not define us; our response to Jesus does. When we call out to Him in faith, He hears us and responds with compassion and power. [49:33]
- Discipleship is a journey of redefinition. As we follow Jesus, we are transformed from our old identities into new creations. This transformation is not just about changing behaviors but about embracing a new identity in Christ. [13:42]
- Our identity must be rooted in God's love, not in the opinions of the crowd. The crowd's opinion is fickle and can change in an instant, but God's love for us is steadfast and unchanging. We must learn to find our worth in Him alone. [15:16]
- Shouting and stepping forward in faith, even when we cannot see, is a powerful act of trust in God. Our faith-filled actions can lead to breakthroughs and miracles, as we rely on God's guidance rather than our own understanding. [28:59]
- The story of the blind men is a reminder that God's grace is available to all, regardless of our past or present circumstances. When we reach out to Him, He is ready to touch our lives and lead us into a future filled with hope and purpose. [37:22]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Matthew 20:29-34: "As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, 'Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!' The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, 'Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!' Jesus stopped and called them. 'What do you want me to do for you?' he asked. 'Lord,' they answered, 'we want our sight.' Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him."
#### Observation Questions
1. What did the two blind men do when they heard Jesus was passing by? ([10:29])
2. How did the crowd react to the blind men’s shouts for mercy? ([10:29])
3. What was Jesus' response to the blind men’s persistent cries? ([10:29])
4. What happened to the blind men after Jesus touched their eyes? ([10:29])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think the blind men continued to shout for Jesus despite the crowd's attempts to silence them? ([10:29])
2. What does the blind men’s persistence reveal about their faith and understanding of who Jesus is? ([10:29])
3. How does Jesus' question, "What do you want me to do for you?" challenge us to be specific in our prayers and needs? ([10:29])
4. In what ways does the story of the blind men illustrate the concept of discipleship as a journey of redefinition? ([13:42])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt silenced by others or by your own doubts. How did you respond, and what can you learn from the blind men’s persistence? ([10:29])
2. The blind men were not deterred by their physical limitations. What limitations do you face, and how can you step forward in faith despite them? ([28:59])
3. Jesus asked the blind men what they wanted Him to do for them. What specific need or desire do you need to bring before Jesus today? ([10:29])
4. The sermon emphasized that our identity must be rooted in God's love, not in the opinions of others. How can you anchor your identity more firmly in God's unchanging love this week? ([15:16])
5. The blind men’s shout was compared to the victorious shout at Jericho. What "walls" in your life need to come down, and how can you use praise and persistence to see breakthroughs? ([41:40])
6. Discipleship is about transformation and redefinition. What old identities or behaviors do you need to let go of to embrace your new identity in Christ? ([13:42])
7. The sermon mentioned that our limitations are opportunities for God to demonstrate His power. Can you identify a current limitation in your life and consider how God might use it for His glory? ([28:59])
Devotional
Day 1: Faith Transcends Limitations
Persistence in faith is not about the volume of one's voice but the depth of one's conviction. The two blind men in Matthew's account were not deterred by their physical inability to see; instead, they saw an opportunity to demonstrate their faith in Jesus. They understood that their limitations were not barriers but rather platforms for God's power to be displayed. By calling out to Jesus, they were making a bold statement: our physical conditions do not confine our spiritual capacities. Their story encourages believers to look beyond their limitations and to trust in the possibilities that faith in Jesus can bring. [49:33]
"Then Jesus stopped and called them and said, 'What do you want me to do for you?' They said to him, 'Lord, let our eyes be opened.' And Jesus in pity touched their eyes, and immediately they recovered their sight and followed him." (Matthew 20:32-34 ESV)
Reflection: What limitation in your life can you present to Jesus today, trusting that He can transform it into a testimony of faith?
Day 2: Redefinition Through Discipleship
Discipleship is the process of becoming who we were created to be in Christ, shedding our old identities and embracing the new. The transformation of the two blind men from beggars to followers of Jesus illustrates the profound change that occurs when we follow Him. It is not merely a change in behavior but a complete redefinition of self. As disciples, we are called to a lifelong journey of transformation, where we continually learn to live out our new identity in Christ. This journey requires active participation and a willingness to be reshaped by the teachings and example of Jesus. [13:42]
"And he said to them, 'Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.'" (Matthew 4:19 ESV)
Reflection: In what ways is Jesus calling you to redefine your identity, and how can you actively engage in this process of transformation today?
Day 3: Anchored in God's Unchanging Love
The fickleness of the crowd in Jesus' time is a stark reminder that human approval is transient. The true anchor for a believer's identity is the steadfast love of God, which does not change with the tides of human opinion. This love is the foundation upon which believers can stand firm, knowing that their worth is not determined by others but by God Himself. When the voices around us are loud and the approval of the crowd is tempting, it is crucial to remember that God's love is the only constant and unchanging source of our identity. [15:16]
"For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed," says the LORD, who has compassion on you. (Isaiah 54:10 ESV)
Reflection: How can you remind yourself of God's unchanging love in moments when you are tempted to seek validation from others?
Day 4: Trusting God in the Unseen
Stepping forward in faith when the path is unclear is a powerful demonstration of trust in God. It is an act of surrender, acknowledging that our understanding is limited but God's vision is perfect. The blind men's shout for Jesus' attention was an echo of their inner trust that He could lead them into the unseen. Similarly, believers are called to shout out to God and step forward, trusting that He will guide them through the uncertainties of life. This act of faith can lead to breakthroughs and miracles that we could never have anticipated. [28:59]
"For we walk by faith, not by sight." (2 Corinthians 5:7 ESV)
Reflection: What step of faith is God asking you to take today, even though the outcome is not visible to you?
Day 5: Grace for All Circumstances
The grace of Jesus is not limited by our past or present circumstances. The blind men's plea for mercy was met with a compassionate response from Jesus, who touched their eyes and gave them sight. This act of grace is a reminder that no matter where we find ourselves, God's grace is sufficient to meet us there and lead us into a future filled with hope. It is an invitation to all, regardless of our backgrounds or current struggles, to reach out to Jesus and experience the transformative power of His grace. [37:22]
"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV)
Reflection: Can you identify an area of your life where you need to experience God's grace anew, and how can you open yourself up to His transformative power today?
Quotes
1) "Don't ever let what you don't have keep you from using what you do. Remember, saints. They couldn't see, but you don't have to see to shout." [10:29] (Download | )
2) "The issue is not that you're stuck; the issue is that you've stopped. The issue is not that God is done with you. Not by a long shot." [28:59] (Download | )
3) "Even if I have to shout and stumble and shout and stumble and shout and stumble, I can still get there." [28:59] (Download | )
4) "There is nothing that you're not that God will require to do what he intends to do through your life." [31:16] (Download | )
5) "I'm not going to call them what their condition said they were. I'm not going to call them what their past had them trapped in." [21:35] (Download | )
6) "The only way I'm going to find me is to follow Jesus, because the only one who really knows what my life is supposed to be or mean or produce is the manufacturer." [23:30] (Download | )
7) "I love these bold…not blind…these bold men. If you get to heaven and want to meet these two men from Matthew 20, make sure you ask for them by the right name." [26:27] (Download | )
8) "When you don't stop, God does. I silence accusation. I silence condemnation. I silence what the crowd says." [48:23] (Download | )
9) "It's got to come down! Say it. 'It's got to come down!' I praise when outnumbered, I praise when surrounded, 'Cause praise is the waters my enemies drown in." [50:53] (Download | )
10) "The whole crowd told them to be quiet. I circled the phrase told them. The whole crowd told them, 'This is pointless. Don't you see you're blind?'" [21:35] (Download | )
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