Sense and Nonsense
We are called to come to our senses and follow Jesus, the only sensible choice, by hearing and responding to God's Word.
Ingimar De Ridder preaches about Bartimaeus, a blind man who could hear, emphasizing how God works with what we have, not what we lack. He highlights the importance of coming to our senses spiritually, being sensitive to God's presence and purposes, and not letting Jesus pass by without giving Him an audience. Faith is born when we hear God's Word before we see, and following Jesus is the only sensible choice.
Text
And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging: And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant. Luke 18:35-36
He could not see, but he could hear. That means that he still had some sense. We are supposed to have five: taste, touch, hearing, seeing, and smell. Once I had no sense for spiritual things. Bartimaeus could not see, but he could hear. God always works with what we have, not with what we don't have. God wants us to come to our senses. Long before we could "taste" and see that He is good, He was good to us. When we were without any feeling for God or the things of God, He touched us, but we never knew it because we were dull. We were as blind as a bat or were satisfied with shadows.
Then one day we began to come to our senses. We heard. "Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God." Bartimaeus could not see, but he could hear. That is the way it is when faith is born. It always "hears" before it "sees." The Lord Jesus was coming by. May we not let Him pass without an audience. God has given us senses that are now sensitive to His presence and purposes. May we learn today when we hear God's Word, and ask, like this once poor beggar, "What does it mean?" Then when we know by faith that it is Him, that God is passing by, may we like Bartimaeus (Mk.10:52) have enough sense to follow our Lord Jesus Christ. To follow any other is simply nonsense.
Sermon Outline
- God Works with What We Have
- Bartimaeus' Blindness and Hearing
- God's Work in Our Lives
- Coming to Our Senses
Key Quotes
“God always works with what we have, not with what we don't have.” — Ingimar De Ridder
“Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.” — Ingimar De Ridder
“To follow any other is simply nonsense.” — Ingimar De Ridder
Application Points
- We should seek to understand God's presence and purposes in our lives by hearing and responding to His Word.
- Following Jesus is the only sensible choice, as He is the true Lord and Savior.
- We should ask God to open our eyes to His truth and help us develop spiritual senses.