Relentless Pursuit: Encountering God with Determination

Summary

All summer long, the invitation is to pursue life change—the kind of transformation that only God can bring as we encounter Him. This is not a passive hope, but an active pursuit, a determination to seek out the God who longs to meet us and shape us into people who bear fruit: goodness, mercy, love, peace, joy, and justice. The story of Bartimaeus, the blind beggar from Mark’s gospel, is a vivid example of this inobstructible determination. Though he was on the margins, not part of the crowd following Jesus, Bartimaeus refused to let anything—his own limitations, the noise of the crowd, or the rebuke of others—keep him from crying out to Jesus for mercy.

Bartimaeus’ story challenges us to consider what we are willing to pursue with that same kind of relentless determination. Are we willing to press through obstacles, both internal and external, to encounter God? Too often, we believe the lie that our needs are too small or insignificant for God’s attention, or we let the voices around us distract or discourage us from seeking Him. Yet, God’s heart is generous and abundant; He is never too busy, never short on resources, and always attentive to those who call out to Him.

There is also a challenge for us as a community: will we be the kind of crowd that blocks others from encountering Jesus, or will we be the ones who cheer them on, making space for them to meet the Savior? The transformation that comes from encountering Jesus is not just for us, but for the blessing of those around us. When Jesus asks Bartimaeus, “What do you want me to do for you?” it is not just a question of need, but of faith—do we believe He can deliver on our deepest longings?

Today, the same question is posed to each of us. What do you want Jesus to do for you? Will you trust Him with your answer, even if you’ve been disappointed before? God’s track record is one of faithfulness, and He invites us to come to Him with anticipation, knowing that He can meet our deepest needs. As we come to the communion table, we remember that the One who provided for our ultimate need—salvation—can also provide for every other need we bring to Him.

Key Takeaways

- Inobstructible Determination in Pursuit of God
Bartimaeus models a relentless pursuit of Jesus, refusing to let his blindness, the crowd’s rebuke, or the busyness of Jesus’ journey deter him. This kind of determination is essential for anyone seeking true transformation. The obstacles we face—whether internal doubts or external resistance—are real, but the encounter with God is worth pressing through every barrier. [05:31]

- God’s Attention Is Not Earned, but Freely Given
Many of us struggle with the belief that our needs are too small or insignificant for God, or that we must exhaust all our own resources before coming to Him. Yet, God’s love and attention are not limited or rationed; He is generous, abundant, and attentive to each of us, not because of our worthiness, but because of His character. We are always worth God’s time and care. [13:32]

- Don’t Let External Voices Distract You from Encountering God
The crowd tried to silence Bartimaeus, but he did not engage with their resistance—instead, he focused all his energy on reaching Jesus. Sometimes, the voices around us—whether skeptical, dismissive, or simply distracting—are not worth engaging. The most important thing is not to prove others wrong, but to meet with Jesus, who alone can bring the change we need. [16:47]

- Be the Crowd That Cheers Others Toward Jesus
We are often part of the “crowd” in someone else’s story. The choice is ours: will we be those who discourage and block, or those who encourage and make space for others to encounter God? Our posture as a community matters deeply, and we are called to be people who say, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you,” helping others find their way to Jesus. [20:13]

- Jesus’ Question: “What Do You Want Me to Do for You?”
When Jesus asks Bartimaeus this question, it is an invitation to name our deepest need and to trust that He can meet it. The power of the question depends on who is asking—and Jesus, the Messiah, is able to deliver on even the most impossible requests. Even if we have been disappointed before, we are invited to trust Him again, believing that He is faithful to provide what we truly need. [28:26]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Life Change and Summer Series Introduction
[03:45] - The Shawshank Redemption and Determination
[05:31] - What Would You Pursue with Determination?
[06:16] - Invitation to Seek Encounters with God
[08:07] - Bartimaeus: The Scene and His Situation
[10:42] - Bartimaeus Calls Out to Jesus
[12:44] - Lies About God’s Attention
[14:53] - Overcoming Internal and External Obstacles
[16:47] - Focusing on Jesus, Not the Crowd
[18:06] - The Crowd’s Change and Our Role
[20:13] - Choosing What Kind of Crowd We’ll Be
[21:36] - “The Price is Right” and Bartimaeus’ Response
[23:07] - Bartimaeus’ Determination and Jesus’ Question
[24:45] - The Weight of Jesus’ Question
[28:26] - Jesus’ Invitation to Us
[30:47] - Communion Invitation and Closing Prayer

Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide: “Pursuing Life Change with Inobstructible Determination”

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### Bible Reading

Mark 10:46-52
*(The story of Bartimaeus, the blind beggar who calls out to Jesus and receives his sight.)*

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### Observation Questions

1. What obstacles did Bartimaeus face as he tried to get Jesus’ attention?
[[10:42]]

2. How did the crowd respond to Bartimaeus when he first started calling out to Jesus? What changed their response?
[[14:53]] [[18:06]]

3. What question did Jesus ask Bartimaeus, and why might that question be significant?
[[24:45]]

4. What did Bartimaeus do when Jesus called him? What did he leave behind?
[[23:07]]

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### Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Bartimaeus refused to let the crowd or his own limitations stop him from calling out to Jesus? What does this show about his faith?
[[10:42]]

2. The sermon mentioned that sometimes we believe our needs are too small for God. Why do people struggle to bring their needs to God, even when they know He is generous?
[[13:32]]

3. When Jesus asked, “What do you want me to do for you?” it was more than just about Bartimaeus’ need—it was about faith. What does this question reveal about Jesus’ heart and about what He wants from us?
[[24:45]]

4. The crowd shifted from rebuking Bartimaeus to encouraging him. What does this say about the role of community in helping or hindering people’s encounters with Jesus?
[[20:13]]

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### Application Questions

1. Bartimaeus showed “inobstructible determination” in seeking Jesus. Is there something in your life right now that you need to pursue with that kind of determination? What is holding you back?
[[05:31]]

2. Are there “crowd noises” in your life—voices, distractions, or even people—that are keeping you from seeking God more fully? What would it look like to ignore or move past those distractions this week?
[[16:47]]

3. The sermon challenged us not to believe the lie that our needs are too small for God. Is there a need or desire you have been hesitant to bring to God? What would it look like to trust Him with it today?
[[13:32]]

4. When Jesus asks, “What do you want me to do for you?” how would you honestly answer Him right now? Are there disappointments or fears that make it hard to answer?
[[28:26]] [[29:29]]

5. Think about your role in the “crowd.” Are you someone who helps others get to Jesus, or do you sometimes unintentionally get in the way? What is one practical way you can encourage someone else’s faith journey this week?
[[20:13]]

6. Bartimaeus left behind his cloak—his most valuable possession—to get to Jesus. Is there something you need to “leave behind” in order to pursue a deeper encounter with God? What might that be?
[[23:07]]

7. The sermon ended with an invitation to come to the communion table with anticipation, trusting that Jesus can meet every need. How can you approach God this week with that same sense of expectation and trust?
[[30:47]]

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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite group members to silently or aloud answer Jesus’ question: “What do you want me to do for you?” Pray for one another to have courage, faith, and determination like Bartimaeus as you seek God together.

Devotional

Day 1: Pursue Encounters with God with Inobstructible Determination
God invites us to seek Him with a relentless, unwavering determination, not letting anything—internal doubts or external obstacles—stand in the way of encountering His transforming presence. The story of Bartimaeus reminds us that life change is worth every effort, and that the pursuit of God is a journey that requires us to press through distractions, discouragement, and delay, trusting that an encounter with Jesus can forever change our lives for good. [06:16]

Mark 10:46-52 (ESV)
And they came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart. Get up; he is calling you.” And throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. And Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” And the blind man said to him, “Rabbi, let me recover my sight.” And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way.

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you have let obstacles or discouragement keep you from seeking God? What would it look like to pursue Him with inobstructible determination today?


Day 2: You Are Worth God’s Time and Attention
No matter how small or insignificant your needs may seem, you are always worth God’s time, attention, and love. God’s resources and care are not limited, and He invites you to bring your needs, hurts, and desires to Him without hesitation or fear of being a bother. Let go of the inner voice that says you are not important enough for God, and trust that He is generous, abundant, and eager to meet with you. [13:32]

Psalm 34:17-18 (ESV)
When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

Reflection: Is there something you have been hesitant to bring to God because you felt it was too small or unimportant? Will you take a moment today to honestly share it with Him, trusting that you are worth His attention?


Day 3: Don’t Let External Voices Distract You from God
Sometimes, the resistance to encountering God comes not from within, but from the voices and pressures around us—people who discourage, distract, or even rebuke us for seeking Jesus. Like Bartimaeus, we are called to remain focused on Jesus, not getting entangled in arguments or seeking the approval of the crowd, but pressing on to meet with the One who can truly transform us. [16:47]

Galatians 1:10 (ESV)
For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Reflection: Who or what in your life tends to distract or discourage you from seeking God? How can you intentionally refocus your attention on Jesus today, regardless of those external voices?


Day 4: Be the Crowd that Encourages Others Toward Jesus
We are not only called to seek Jesus for ourselves, but also to be the kind of community that encourages others to encounter Him. Instead of being a barrier, we can be the voice that says, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you,” helping others draw near to the One who can meet their deepest needs. Let’s be known as people who make it easier for others to find and follow Jesus. [20:13]

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV)
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Reflection: Who in your life is seeking or struggling to encounter God? How can you encourage or support them today in their journey toward Jesus?


Day 5: Jesus Asks, “What Do You Want Me to Do for You?”
Jesus invites us to bring our deepest needs and desires to Him, asking us the life-changing question, “What do you want me to do for you?” This is not just about what we want, but about what we believe Jesus can do. Even if we have faced disappointment before, He calls us to trust Him again, knowing that He is able and willing to meet our deepest longings in His perfect way and timing. [28:26]

Matthew 7:7-8 (ESV)
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.

Reflection: If Jesus were to ask you today, “What do you want me to do for you?”—what would you say? Will you take a moment to honestly answer Him and trust Him with your deepest need?

Quotes

Don't let anything keep you from an encounter with God. This is the kind of thing that's worth pursuing with inobstructible determination. So don't let anything get in the way. Don't let anything get in the way of meeting with a God who wants to have the kind of encounters with you that will transform your life for good, for your good and the good of those around you. [00:07:56] (00:00:25 seconds) Edit Clip

You are worth God's time and attention. God doesn't have a limited scope of attention and he doesn't have a limited scope of resources and he doesn't have a quota of caring for each day. God has more than enough. God is generously abundant. God pours out in grace. [00:13:36] (00:00:21 seconds) Edit Clip

Wouldn't it be great if we were the kind of community that was known for saying, cheer up, on your feet, come along, Jesus is calling you. Let's be those kinds of people. [00:21:19] (00:00:17 seconds) Edit Clip

What do you want me to do for you? Jesus asks him. Now this question isn't just about what Bartimaeus wants. It's about what he believes the man in front of him can do. Because his answer to that question is going to depend on what he believes Jesus is capable of. [00:26:11] (00:00:18 seconds) Edit Clip

God's timing doesn't always make sense. I know that. Some of us are still waiting. But what we see throughout scripture and throughout history and throughout the testimony of the people around us, that even when it's not on a timing that we expected, God always delivers. God's track record is that he always provides what we need. [00:29:39] (00:00:23 seconds) Edit Clip

Don't let anything keep you from an encounter with the one who asked that question because he can deliver the kind of life change that you desperately need, that will turn your life for the better, that will bless you and bless those around you, that will address the deepest longing and the deepest need. [00:30:17] (00:00:22 seconds) Edit Clip

Today, we come to the table of the one who's provided for the ultimate need, the need for salvation for our soul and freedom for our lives. So I want to invite you to approach the table this morning with that sense of anticipation, that sense of excitement, that sense of faith that the one who provided for the ultimate need can also deliver what you need today and in every moment. [00:31:37] (00:00:25 seconds) Edit Clip

Thank you that the table is set. Thank you that you have a track record of delivering what we desperately need, that you didn't let anything stop you from delivering what humanity and the world needed. So now, Lord, we don't let anything stop us from coming to the table, from meeting with you, from receiving what we need today and every day. [00:33:11] (00:00:23 seconds) Edit Clip