Red Letters: Real ID - Pastor Josiah Elias
- design97004
- Feb 2
- 5 min read
“You are worthy of it all. You are worthy of it all,” we sang. The Holy Father is worthy of all our praise and blessing. Then Josh Munoz prayed for us to take an inventory and house clean our hearts. “Show us things that are standing in the way of the fullness of who You are.”
Pastor Josiah reminded us that our mission is to culture like Christ, and our vision is Jesus. Last week Pastor Josiah spoke on the sermon, entitled “Built in the Shadow” concerning the rich, young ruler, who valued his possessions more than he did following the Lord Jesus Christ. This week the setting of the sermon was Mark 10 where the “blind beggar Bartimaeus, (son of Timaeus)” Mark 10:46 (NLT) sat beside the road. “Timaeus-Grk. ‘Highly prized’” This blind beggar’s father was highly prized which meant that the beggar was highly prized. But his being a beggar did not seem equal to his father’s name. When your condition does not line up with your identity, does your identity shift? Who you are should not change with the circumstances. Your identity shifts your circumstances, not your circumstances shifting your identity. For “in Him we live and move and have our being….” Acts 17:28 (NKJV)
“Identity:
-I am a new creation in Christ Jesus…. The ties to the old life are severed! 2 Corinthians 5:17
-I am His child….The orphan spirit is not mine. I have the Holy Spirit! John1:12, Romans 8:15-16, 1 John 4:13
-I am chosen, holy, and dearly loved….Depression and abandonment are not my inheritance. Ephesians 1:4
-I am forgiven and redeemed….Guilt, shame, and condemnation are not my portion. Ephesians 1:7, Romans 8:1
-I am seated with Christ in heavenly places…no longer meant to live below what He paid for. Ephesians 2:6
-I am more than a conqueror….Break off the defeated, victim’s mentality. Romans 8:37
-I am secure in His love….Fear is broken, for love has cast it out. Romans 8:38-39, 1 John 4:18”
Circumstances will knock on your door and wait to see who answers. Will it be the Christ follower or the world follower? The challenges are not punishment but proving grounds and opportunities to show your faith in Him. They do not need to be seen as hated enemies but can be helpful tools.
In Bartimaeus’ time they believed that blindness was a curse from God because of sin.
When he heard “that Jesus of Nazareth was nearby, he began to shout, ’Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’” Mark 10:47 (NLT) His cry out was more than for attention. It was a declaration identity and lordship.This blind beggar acknowledged Jesus’ lineage. The phrase “Son of David” was messianic and greatly contrasted how the Pharisees spoke to the Lord. Knowing the name of Jesus is not enough. Even the evil spirits know the name of Jesus, but they have not accepted the Lord as Lord. They can only identify Him.
Also a person is not a Christ follower because her/his parents brought her/him to church, read the Bible or is baptized. The only way to eternal life is through Jesus who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. “No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 “You cannot piggyback on another’s salvation to get into the kingdom,” declared Pastor Josiah. “Stand on your own feet.” He continued,”Do you know Him? He knows you.”
Back to Bartimaeus and his encounter with the Savior:
“‘Be quiet!’ Many of the people yelled at him.
But he only shouted louder, ’Son of David, have mercy on me.” Mark 10:48 (NLT)
Bartimaeus did not let the discouragers discourage him. He was determined. “When Jesus is passing by are you going to be quiet or talk out and stand your ground?” Pastor Josiah asked. Crying out to the Lord is coated in faith. Cry out for breakthroughs for our families, schools, communities, nation. They will try to hush you, but let faith pull you through even if the cost of discipleship is heavy.
Jesus, the Son of David, heard the persistent beggar and instructed others to tell him to come. “So they called the blind man. ‘Cheer up,’ they said. ‘Come on, he’s calling you.’” Mark 10:49b (NLT) The blind beggar’s determined efforts paid off. He sought the Savior with his whole heart, and Jesus called him to Him.
“Bartimaeus threw aside his coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus.” Mark 10:50 (NLT) He threw off his coat, the beggar’s coat, his old identity. He trusted God even before the miracle occurred. That is faith, bold unadulterated faith!
In the Kingdom, we who are Christ followers have the Real ID in Jesus. All things are new, and old things pass away. We are new creations, growing in righteousness. The Real ID He gave us transformed us; we are children of the King. That is our identity.
What you believe dictates your actions. Do you believe what the super liar says to you and about you, or do you believer the Maker of Heaven and Earth who says,”Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine.” Isaiah 43:1 (NLT) When you begin to hear the lies of the super liar, ask your Abba Father to capture your thoughts. That way you will have the mind of Christ. Fling off any old, destructive thoughts like the beggar did with his coat and put on the armor of God.
Jesus asked Bartimaeus what he wanted, and Bartimaeus stated,
”’My Rabbi,’ the blind man said, ’I want to see!’
And Jesus said to him,’Go, for your faith has healed you.’
And instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus
down the road.’” Mark 10:51-52 (NLT)
The man was healed and followed Jesus. May we tell Him what we want and follow Him however He answers us. He has a plan for each of us, and since He is sovereign, He knows the future. It goes back to what David Diga Hernandez said,” Relax. Trust and obey.” That is my desire, Lord.
The Paramount Point is The breakthrough must lead to a deeper following. Sometimes prevention is a blessing. Ask the Lord to align your hearts to His will. We need what He has for us! As we align and surrender our hearts to His will, may we be salt and light in this troubled world.
LB Calendar:
2/20 LB potluck, worship, and speaker Felipe Villa, grandfather of Pastor Michel
3/20 LB potluck and Meet to Swap in the Youth Center
4/17 LB potluck, worship and speaker Bo Quillar
5/15 LB potluck, worship and speaker Yvette Key
6/19 LB potluck, worship and speaker Cynthia
7/17 LB potluck, worship and TBA
Blessings,
Larry and Annette
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