Come Closer, Pass Me Not

COME CLOSER, THE INVITATION.

By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com (YouTube: Wade Hughes) Two parts

Fodder for this lesson comes from Dick Van Huss, Winchester, Ky.

THERE IS A PROMISE IF WE WILL --- GOD WILL. WILL WE HEAR THE EXHORTATION THAT GOD DESIRES US TO COME CLOSER TO HIM? We must make a conscious effort to actively pursue God. We must study his word, pray and worship then God will respond and he will come near us. Jesus, Pass me not.

TEXT:

James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

James 4:7 (NLT2) So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.

STANDING CLOSER?

I was teaching the 6th grade at Elk Knob in Wood Way, Virginia. The 3rd grade teacher sent Joe to the office to receive a “Paddling.” (This was a norm 50+ years ago.) I was the assistant principal and the principal was not there. So I was paged into the office. My paddle’s name was Hot Tea. An old teacher had given me. I discussed with Joe the err of his ways and lined him up to take his medicine. I place Joe and the next thing I knew Joe was standing close to me. I moved him back. Before I could do anything, Joe was standing back close to me. This happened several times. Finally, I asked Joe: WHAT ARE YOU DOING? Joe made a statement I will never forget. Joe said: THE CLOSER I STAND TO YOU, THE LESS IT HURTS! I did not paddle Joe. I ask Joe, could he keep a secret? I took Hot Tea and slapped the sole of my shoe 3 times.

Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

REMEMBER THE SHOW: “LOST IN SPACE” THE ROBOT WOULD WARN: DANGER, DANGER WILL SMITH.”

*WATCHMAN, WHAT OF THE NIGHT? BEWARE! DANGER, DANGER.

*An estimated 15,000 churches will close in 2025. 38% of pastors are thinking about leaving the ministry. 51% of minister are thinking about leaving in the mainline denominations. In the past 70% of people believed the church was important.

*Today only 46% of people feel like church is important. Only 10% attend church weekly. Yet 50% say they are members of a church. The recent polls reveal 3,300 people a day are leaving present day churches. If we take 3,300 a day times 365 days that will equal 8,431,500. Today we have 56,640 fulltime pastors for 253,347 churches.

THE BEST TIME TO PLANT APPLE SEEDS WOULD BE YESTERDAY. WHAT DO YOU WANT? BE QUIET? SHUT UP.

Jesus is walking near Jericho. The people did not want to interrupt Jesus’ plans. The blind brother knew he needed to find Jesus. Someone told Bartimaeus about Jesus. In his darkness, Bartimaeus developed trust and faith in a man named Jesus. BARTIMAEUS STARTED HEARING A NOISE IN THE DISTANCE. The noise got louder and louder. The crowd was getting near. Bartimaeus heard Jesus was in the crowd. Bartimaeus knew JESUS WAS GOD’S SON EVEN IN THE DARKNESS OF BLINDNESS. Bartimaeus knew if he could get near enough to Jesus his faith would release a miracle.

Bartimaus WAS TIRED OF BEING BLIND. He did not care for what PEOPLE THOUGHT AND DEMANDED. In their cruel, mean words the people demanded: BE QUIET. Bartimaeus would PERSIST IN THE MIDST OF OPPOSITION. If Bartimaeus stayed silent he would stay blind. Don’t make a scene. You are embarrassing us. The blind man knew to approach Jesus boldly. JESUS SAID, COME HERE. THE BLIND MAN STUMBLED HIS WAY TO BE NEAR THE SON OF GOD.

COME CLOSER!!! WE HAVE TO KNOW BLINDNESS IS NOT AN OBSTACLE IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY. JESUS HEARS YOUR CRY --- YOU HAVE TO REACH OUT FOR YOUR MIRACLE… BUT THE BLIND BARTIMAEUS HAS TO COME CLOSER --- the blind man had to come closer.

Mark 10:49 And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee.

NOW, I CAN SEE CLEARLY. BARTIMAEUS GOES AFTER HIS HEALER. Bartimaeus knew he would follow Jesus and share his testimony.

Mark 10:52 And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.