Ask Anyway Series

SERIES OPENING – Believe Boldly

Today we’re starting something new together.

This message is the beginning of a new volume in our Bible Engagement Project.

Volume 5, Believe Boldly.

And that phrase matters—because bold belief isn’t loud belief.

It isn’t showy.

It isn’t dramatic for the sake of attention.

Bold belief is quiet courage.

It’s steady faith.

It’s the decision to trust God when circumstances, people, or even your own inner voice tell you not to.

Paul writes it this way in 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

“Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love.”

That’s what this series is about.

Over the next several weeks, we’re going to look at real, ordinary people—who learned to trust God deeply, honestly, and boldly.

Not because they had perfect faith…

but because they discovered that God is faithful.

Here’s what I know about many of us—especially right now.

We believe in God…

but we don’t always believe for things anymore.

We believe God can…

but we’re not sure He will.

We’ve prayed before.

We’ve hoped before.

And sometimes disappointment taught us to lower our expectations.

So instead of bold prayers, we pray safe ones.

Instead of asking, we cope.

Instead of believing, we manage.

This series is an invitation to re-learn how to come to God with boldness—

not because of our worthiness,

but because of His promises.

TODAY’S FOCUS – ASK ANYWAY

Every volume has a starting point.

And for Believe Boldly, the first step is simple—but not easy:

Ask Anyway.

Not politely.

Not vaguely.

Not hypothetically.

Ask God honestly.

Ask Him clearly.

Ask Him even when others discourage you.

That’s why today we’re starting with a man whose faith was anything but quiet.

A man who had every reason to stay silent…

and every excuse to stay seated…

But instead, he cried out.

INTRODUCTION – When Attention Feels Uncomfortable

Let me start with a simple question—

Are you the kind of person who loves being the center of attention…

or the kind of person who would rather disappear into the back row and hope no one notices you?

Most of us don’t mind attention when it’s positive.

But negative attention?

Standing out when everyone else wants you quiet?

That’s uncomfortable.

And yet, faith—real faith—often puts us right there.

Because sometimes following Jesus means being heard

when others would rather you stay silent.

And that’s exactly where we meet a man named Bartimaeus.

Mark tells us that as Jesus was leaving Jericho,

Bartimaeus—a blind man—was sitting beside the road.

That detail matters.

This wasn’t a one-off moment.

This was his routine.

Same road.

Same spot.

Same helplessness.

Blindness in the first century wasn’t just a medical condition—it was a life sentence.

No public assistance.

No accessibility tools.

No Disability Checks

No safety net.

Bartimaeus lived with what felt permanently impossible.

And if we’re honest, many of us know that feeling.

We live with:

• A diagnosis that hasn’t changed

• A relationship that never healed

• A pattern we’ve learned to manage instead of overcome

• A discouragement we quietly accepted as “just how life is”

At some point, it’s easier to cope than to hope.

TRANSITION INTO TEXT

If you have your Bible, turn with me to Mark chapter 10:46

We’re going to meet a blind man named Bartimaeus—

and his story sets the tone for everything this series is going to ask of us.

Because Bartimaeus shows us what happens

when bold belief refuses to be quiet.

Read Mark 10:46-52

Jesus Is Passing by Then Mark says something simple but explosive:

“When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus of Nazareth was nearby…”

That’s all it took.

Faith often starts with hearing.

The Apostle Paul puts it this way in Romans 10:14-15

“But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say,

‘How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”

Somewhere along the way, Bartimaeus had heard the stories:

• Blind eyes opened

• Lives restored

• Mercy freely given

And suddenly, the impossible didn’t feel so permanent anymore.

So Bartimaeus does something bold.

He cries out.

Not politely.

Not quietly.

He shouts:

“Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

That phrase—Son of David—is loaded.

It’s a declaration of faith.

Bartimaeus is saying, “I believe you are who you say you are.”

And immediately, the crowd responds.

Not with encouragement.

Not with compassion.

They tell him to be quiet.

Because bold faith makes people uncomfortable.

Sometimes others prefer the status quo:

• “Don’t make a scene.”