“BREAKING OUT OF YOUR RUT”

TEXT:  Mark 10:46-52
 
THESIS:  To give some principles for breaking the “status quo” in a stagnant Christian life.
 
INTRO.: 

A. 2021 will be just like 2020 & all the other previous years  - unless you decide to “BREAK OUT OF YOUR RUT” now! Ruts are comfortable, but unproductive.  Someone said “A rut is a grave w/both ends kicked out.” 
 
B. Some are so content w/the “status quo” (a rut!) & so comfortable in your laziness, lethargy & laxity that you have no desire to change.  I can’t help you!  But some of you are tired & weary over your failures, your sin, & your fruitlessness as a Christian & you are ready for a change.  If I knew your name I would do as Christ did at Lazarus’ tomb & cry “Lazarus (your name), come forth!” 
 
TRANS.:  I am not interested in how you got into your rut.  Perhaps you are there thru circumstances over which you had little control.  My concern is that you are not content with being there & have a genuine desire for change.  You really do want to be a better Christian.  You really do want to do something which will count for Christ in 2021.  You really do want to “BREAK OUT OF YOUR RUT” & do something you will be glad you did when you stand at the Judgment Seat of Christ…
 
I. TAKE RESPONSIBILITY (FOR YOUR OWN LIFE)!  v.46,47a
 
A. Be Alert To Opportunities:
 
   1. Perhaps he had heard about Jesus’ healing the man born blind in the Temple.
   2. What Jesus has done for others, he can do also for you.
 
ILLUS.:  Allen Snare was just another deaf man, but now he is a Pastor.  The Langtons are just ordinary people, but they yielded to the Lord & He is using them among our handicapped.  Jan Lessman is just a housewife, but the Lord is using her to be an effective bus captain.  Keith Adams was just a steel worker, but God used him many years as a Children’s Church worker.  Pastor Delquadro is from South Philly, but…
 
B. Don’t Wait For Anyone:

   1. Bartimaeus was just another poor, blind beggar among a “great number of people…” (surely many w/other afflictions), but he couldn’t wait for anyone else to take him to Jesus - he took responsibility for his own life.
2. It would be nice if the other young people got their hearts right…or your spouse decided to serve the Lord…or…
 
II. BELIEVE GOD:  v.47b,51b
 
A. Don’t Allow Problems To Define Your Life:
 
   1. With God all things are possible!
   2. Don’t focus on yourself or your failures, but on the Lord & His omnipotence
 
B. Don’t Permit Past Failures To Destroy Your Future:
 
   1. This man refused to be silenced;  he knew what he wanted & refused to be intimidated. “…have mercy on me”
   2. He had been blind long enough & he was willing to believe that Jesus was the Messiah of the O.T. Scriptures Who would open the eyes of the blind.
 
ILLUS.:  🔹Jesus didn’t heal everyone in His day, nor does He do so today.  🔹But He never turns down those who believe Him for a miracle.  🔹The problem is not with His power but with our weakness of faith.  🔹We can have the victory over sin - we can become a soul-winner - we can tithe - we can be or do something great for Him.
 
III. IGNORE OTHERS:  v.48
 
A. Don’t Be Discouraged:
 
   1. This man refused to let others discourage him from coming to Jesus.
   2. Perhaps some said: “Jesus isn’t interested in a blind beggar…” or “Jesus doesn’t have time for you…” or - ?
 
B. Don’t Be Defeated:
 
   1. If this man had listened to the crowd, he would have gone through life blind, for Jesus never passed by this way again.
   2. If you fail to claim your opportunity today - perhaps you will miss the opportunity of your lifetime; maybe the Holy Spirit will not convict you again.
 
IV. CLARIFY NEEDS:  v.51a
 
A. Be Specific:
 
   1. Jesus asked an open ended question & the blind man stated his need.
   2. This man had many needs, but he singled out the one he considered most important - his sight.
   3. Until you clearly identify your greatest need & carefully & specifically pray for it, things will not change.
 
ILLUS.:  If it is boldness in witnessing you need, tell the Lord that!  If you want to see your mother saved, tell Him so (tell her also!).  ✔Be specific about confession of sins. ✔Be specific about praying for missionaries.  ✔Be specific about a need you have. ✔Be specific about how much money you need. 
 
B. Articulate Goals:
 
   1. Do you want to win a certain number of souls per month or week this year?
   2. Do you want to have a certain number of riders on your bus next week?
   3. Do you want to have victory over a besetting sin?

ILLUS.:  If I had not been specific last Sun. morning about Video Store membership, I would not have gotten 3 membership cards at the close of the service.
 
V. DON’T HESITATE:  v.49,50
 
A. Don’t Wait For Ideal Circumstances:
 
   1. He came in his blindness, but with his faith.
   2. He responded immediately to Jesus’ invitation.
   3. He cast “away his garment” - that which identified him as a blind beggar & “rose & came to Jesus.”
 
VI. BE DECISIVE:  v.50
 
A. Do It Now!
                                              
   1. Since now is the only time we have, do whatever you are going to do for the Lord w/out waiting for better circumstances.
   2. If this blind beggar had waited, he would have died blind!
   3. If you wait, you may miss the one opportunity God is giving you to “GET OUT OF YOUR RUT!”
 
VII.  FOLLOW JESUS:  v.52
 
A. Get Excited About Your Victory!
 
ILLUS.:  This man surely had sights (the countryside, the glories of the Temple, etc.) to see now that he had his eyes open, but he wanted to see Jesus & be w/Him!  He no doubt had loved ones he had never laid eyes on, but He wanted to see Jesus & be w/the One Who healed Him!!!  (The same will be true of each of us when we get to
heaven.  Our loved ones may be there, but we will want to be w/Jesus - the One Who opened our eyes!!!)
 
CONCL.:  Surely as Christians we ought to be as anxious to get out of the rut of our mediocre Christianity as this blind man was to see!  Why not...

“BREAK OUT OF YOUR RUT” today?!