Who Are You And What Do You Want?

Sermon Notes 23.01.29

Leadership coaches: Mick Ukleja, Rob Lorber wrote a book titled "Who Are You And What Do You Want?". There work states 4 questions for transformation

- Who are you and what do you want?

- Where are you and why are you here?

- What will you do and how will you do it?

- Who are your allies and how can they help?

Who are you?

Take away what you’re known for, and whatever’s left, is who you are. -Bob Goff

What do you want?

Our strongest desires are not our deepest desires.” - John Mark Comer

“Aren't you, like me, hoping that some person, thing, or event will come along to give you that final feeling of inner well-being you desire? Don't you often hope: 'May this book, idea, course, trip, job, country or relationship fulfill my deepest desire.' But as long as you are waiting for that mysterious moment you will go on running helter-skelter, always anxious and restless, always lustful and angry, never fully satisfied. ― Henri J.M. Nouwen

Mark 10:46-52

46 They came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a large crowd, Bartimaeus (the son of Timaeus), a blind beggar, was sitting by the road. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me! ” 48 Many warned him to keep quiet, but he was crying out all the more, Have mercy on me, Son of David! ” 49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called the blind man and said to him, “Have courage! Get up; he’s calling for you.” 50 He threw off his coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus. 51 Then Jesus answered him, “What do you want me to do for you? ”

“Rabboni,” the blind man said to him, “I want to see.” 52 Jesus said to him, “Go, your faith has saved you.” Immediately he could see and began to follow Jesus on the road.

Bartimeus can mean either "son of the unclean" or "son of the most honoured" - it depends who you ask!

What is most important is who God says you are, which can be understood by how Jesus treats Bartimaeus.

Jesus asked him the details - What do you want me to do for you?

He answers with desire - What do you want?

Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Ps 37:4

Bartimaeus progresses from hearing about Jesus to shouting "Son of David" which is a messianic claim - a sign that He sees Jesus as his saviour. This catches the attention of Jesus, and He says "Your faith has saved you" In other words the belief that Jesus could do something. Finally, he begins to follow Jesus from that moment forward.

Who are you? What do you want? What will you do about it?