The ladies of Bethany Baptist Church met for their Bible Study, Thursday morning. They are finishing the lessons from “A Woman After God’s Own Heart” by Elizabeth George and will be starting a new study in the next few weeks.
Next Sunday, February 27, the church will have missionaries Carey and Jessica Hendricks and their two daughters as guests. They will present their burden for Ireland and their calling as missionaries. There will be lunch in the fellowship hall after the morning service with a special afternoon service afterward at about 1:00 PM. There will not be an evening service.
Darlene Sorensen sang a special song in the morning service. The Youth Choir’s Trio presented a song in the evening service.
Pastor Bob Sorensen brought a message on “The Blind Man With 20/20 Vision!” Mark 10:46-52 tells about blind Bartimaeus who sat beside the road near Jericho. We can learn much from this man’s experience. Blind as he was he knew that he could not change his condition on his own, nor could he get the help he needed except from Jesus. People who are blinded by sin may think they can find the answer to their life’s problems in politics, wealth, education and entertainment. They may be calling for help, but they do not know what they need.
In order for the blind man to have the faith to be healed, he had to hear about the healer, Jesus. He heard that Jesus was going that way and he had heard about other instances of healing. Before a sinner will have the faith to call upon the Lord, he must first hear about the mercy and the power of the Lord Jesus to save lost sinners.
When the man cried out, the crowd around him told him to be quiet, but he cried out the more. He knew what he needed and Jesus heard his cry. When you know you need Jesus, not a seminar, you will call out in spite of the world telling you differently. Jesus will hear because he longs to hear the call of a sinner.
Jesus stood still. Jesus commanded that he be brought to him. It has always been the job of the church to bring people to Jesus. Four caring men brought an impotent man to Jesus for healing even going so far as to tear an opening and let the man down through the ceiling. Jesus is still calling for Christians to go out and bring the lost ones in. Failing in that respect results in lost sinners remaining on their road to Hell.
Then Bartimaeus cast away his garment. When we repent, we cast off the old ways and do like Bartimaeus did when he received his sight, we will follow Jesus in his way. Are you walking with Jesus with spiritual 20/20 vision or are you still blinded by sin?
