[46] Now they came to Jericho. As He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the road begging.
[47] And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
[48] Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
[49] So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called. Then they called the blind man, saying to him, “Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you.”
[50] And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus.
[51] So Jesus answered and said to him, “What do you want Me to do for you?” The blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.”
[52] Then Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road.
INTRODUCTION.
Transformation originates from the One who transform. When God created the earth He saw that it was void and darkness covered the earth.
??He transformed the darkness to light by His word.
??The Bible tell us Jn.1:4-5 that the Word gave life to everything that was created and his life brought light to every one. .vs5. The light shines in darkness and the darkness can never extinguish it.
??The Word that brought the great transformation is Jesus Christ and till date no man can experience positive transformation outside Jesus Christ. Today we are talking about an Wholesome Transformation.
DEFINITIONS.
WHOLESOME: means healthy, good,
TRANSFORMATION:- is a combination of two words:
TRANS - change while FORMATION – shape, structure, configuration, pattern.
??WHOLESOME TRANSFORMATION:- therefore means a healthy change from one shape, structure, pattern or configuration to another. Change from one form to another.
??In Plain Language Wholesome Transformation is complete change. A change that is total.
??We shall focus now on positive change: From bad to good and good to better or very best .As we all know change can be negative. Those experiencing negative change God will revise in Jesus name.
ESSENTIAL THINGS ABOUT WHOLESOME TRANSFORMATION
1) Wholesome transformation is determine by the Transformer (God) pleasure.
Revelation 4:11 KJV
[11] Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
2) The work of wholesome transformation occurs entirely between the potter and the clay, creator and the creature Isaiah 64:8, Jeremiah 18:3-6
Isaiah 64:8 KJV
[8] But now, O Lord, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.
3) The one who form you can transform you… Esther 2:15-18.
??Most times we find ourselves in certain unpleasant situation in life occasioned by different circumstances.
?? But no matter the circumstances, God remains the same, and is more than able to bring about a positive change to our life.
Hebrews 13:8 KJV
[8] Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
God is interested in you having an wholesome transformation.
3 John 1:2 KJV[2]… Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prosperous.
WHAT CAN HE TRANSFORM WHOLESOMELY IN MY LIFE LIKE BARTIMMAEUS.
Bartimmaeus is our case study according to our text in Mark 10:46-52
1. BARTIMAEUS WAS IN DARKNESS BECAUSE OF BLINDNESS BUT AFTER HE CALLED ON JESUS, Jesus transformed his darkness to light – This can either be physical or spiritual darkness John. 9:5-7
John 9:5-7 KJV
[5] As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. [6] When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, [7] And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.
SPIRITUAL
Col 1:12-13,
Colossians 1:13-14 KJV
[13] Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: [14] In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins. E.g Saul turned to Paul
1Tim 1:15... 15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
2) BARTIMAEUS WAS HAVING AN INCURABLE SICKNESS but after he called on Jesus, Jesus transformed his sickness to complete health e.g. Fever Matt 8:14-15, Withered hand Mark 3:1-5, Paralysis Mark 2:1-12
3) BARTIMAEUS WAS POOR BECAUSE OF HIS BLINDNESS WHICH MAKES HIM TO BEG FOR MONEY but after he called on Jesus, Jesus transformed his poverty to wealth 3 John 2, Ps 35:27,
Psalm 35:27 KJV
[27] Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the Lord be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.
Poverty can bring shame and disgrace 11kings 4:1-7.
Psalm 68:19 KJV
[19] Blessed be the Lord, who daily loaded us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.
4) BARTIMAEUS WAS LONELY BUT AFTER HE CALLED ON JESUS, Jesus transformed his loneliness to popularities/famous – loneliness can be - Marital, Singleness, Friendship which comes as a result of hatred without reason Hebrews 13:5
Heb. 13:5
5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
5) BARTIMAEUS WAS SORROWFUL BUT AFTER HE CALLED ON JESUS, JESUS TRANSFORMED HIS SORROW TO JOY - Bartimaeus was sad because he was about to lose an opportunity of life time. The sorrow of lost opportunity is life time.
2 Kings 2:19-20 KJV
[19] And the men of the city said unto Elisha, Behold, I pray thee, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord seeth: but the water is naught, and the ground barren.
[20] And he said, Bring me a new cruse, and put salt therein. And they brought it to him.
6) BARTIMAEUS WAS HOPELESS BUT AFTER HE CALLED ON JESUS, JESUS TRANSFORMED HIS HOPELESSNESS TO HOPE. Hopelessness can leads to suicide.
Psalm 42:5 KJV
[5] Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.
Luke 7:11-17… Story of the widow of Naomi
7) BARTIMAEUS HAD ENEMIES OF PROGRESS BUT AFTER HE CALLED ON JESUS, Jesus transformed his enemies to become his servant - Prov 16:7,
Proverbs 16:7 KJV
[7] When a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
Galatians 1:23-24 KJV
[23] But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed. [24] And they glorified God in me.
WHAT ARE INSTRUMENT GOD USED TO BRING WHOLESOME TRANSFORMATION
The instruments of wholesome transformation are according to Ezekiel 37:1-10.
1) Prophets - God brought in a prophet Hosea 12:13,
Hosea 12:13 KJV
[13] And by a prophet the Lord brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved.
2) Your Obedience to the word of God 2 Kings 5:1-13 Namaan story.
Peter obeyed the word.
Luk. 5:5-7
3) Shaking - God can cause a shaking in a system or our lives to bring about His children transformation Haggai 2:6-7.
Haggai 2:6-7 KJV
[6] For thus saith the Lord of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land ; [7] And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the Lord of hosts.
4) Wind – God can blow the wind to bring about wholesome transformation for His children in - when God blow the wind, the following happens
· It makes a way where there is no way Exo 14:21-28
· The destiny of a man that is dormant will become active Acts 2:1-10
CONCLUSION
If Bartimaeus had wholesome or all round transformation, you too have it without relapse e.g.
2 kings 4:1-7 - the widow didn't beg again
If dry bones obey God in Ezekiel 37:1-10, and the lame man in Acts 3:1-8 experience rapid progress
Won’t you obey God too to experience wholesome transformation?
But be warned that transformation can be negative when God pass judgment on the disobedience and the proud.
Daniel 4:28-37… Story of Nebuchadnezzar.
WHAT MUST I DO TO RECEIVE A WHOLESOME TRANSFORMATION
Do you desire a wholesome transformation in your life, Only Jesus can give it to you, but you also have a role to play.
To receive you own wholesome transformation therefore you must do the following
1. Confess your sins and accept Jesus as your Lord and savior.
1.Jhn.1:8-9
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
2. Worship the Lord and give Him thanks.
Mark 5:5-6 KJV
[5] And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones. [6] But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him,
3. Fear God and be humble.
Jam.4:10
10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
