Take The Step
God has some incredible things in store for us, but we must take the journey obediently. Walk by faith!
TEXTS: Hebrews 11:8, Mark 10:46-49
8 By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he left, not knowing where he was going.
Quote —Hebrews 11:8 (NASB - New American Standard Bible)
Lao Tzu: “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.”
46 Then they *came to Jericho. And later, as He was leaving Jericho with His disciples and a large crowd, a beggar who was blind named Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the road.
47 And when he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
48 Many were sternly telling him to be quiet, but he kept crying out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
49 And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him here.” So they *called the man who was blind, saying to him, “Take courage, stand up! He is calling for you.” —Mark 10:46-49 (NASB - New American Standard Bible)
You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great. —John C. Maxwell
Take the
1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. —Hebrews 12:1-2 (KJV)
Neil Armstrong’s historic step on the moon in 1969 was the culmination of years of research, experimentation, and perseverance by countless individuals. The journey to that “one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind” began decades earlier with the dreams of scientists, engineers, and astronauts who worked tirelessly to achieve what once seemed impossible.
Bartimaeus gives us a
When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout …
Mark 10:47 NIV
You’re not here just to exist and take up space.
You are here to make it on earth as it is in heaven in your generation.
You are here to make a difference.
Take the step
JESUS WANTS YOU JUST AS YOU ARE!
The story is told of an artist who wanted an unkempt beggar to sit for him for a special picture he was painting. He searched the city until he found just the man - a poor fellow who was unshaven and dirty. He asked the man to come to his studio on the following day, and he paid he a little money in advance. The man went straight to the public baths and cleaned himself up; he shaved the stubble of his chin, combed his hair and brushed up his clothes, and when he presented himself at the artist’s studio the painter was aghast. “But I wanted you just as you were!” he said.
… “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Mark 10:47 NIV
Jesus is the one who makes all the difference in all of our lives.
Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet … Mark 10:48 NIV
When you take a step forward, you have to expect that there will be some opposition.
You have to expect that someone will try to keep you where you are.
Take the step
Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. Mark 10:49-50 NIV
“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” Mark 10:51 NIV
“Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” … Mark 10:52 NIV
You’ll find what you’re looking for by connecting with the body of Christ.
[Jesus] is the head of the body, the church … Colossians 1:18 NIV
We don’t just consume church; we are the Church.
WHERE THE JOURNEY BEGINS:
- TAKE THE STEP OF
- TAKE THE STEP OF
- TAKE THE STEP OF
THIS IS JUST WHERE THE JOURNEY STARTS…
Today, if you are ready to get rid of the old you…you must leave behind the thing that would hold you back.
Let go of that coat of DISCOURAGEMENT
Let go of that coat of PRIDE
Let go of that coat of SIN
Let go of that coat of COMFORT
Let go of that coat of WHAT ANYONE ELSE THINKS…
You don’t have to
What brings you freedom is belonging.
Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step. —Martin Luther King Jr.
Take the step forward today!