Main Idea: By faith and prayer, the purposes of God are carried through us.
1. Seeing our way through the seemingly disconnected events here!
2. The antidote to fruitlessness
3. Prayer – the great opportunity to fruitfulness

I. The Expected King Came for an Unexpected Purpose!
a. Jesus fulfills messianic prophecy.
b. Jesus demonstrates humility.
II. The Crowds Were Fair-weather Fans, Not Faithful Followers!
a. We can talk right and act right but not be right!
b. Follow Jesus for who he is, not for what he can do for us!
III. The Context Points to the Purpose of the Cross!

1. The Treachery of the Human Heart.
2. The Pursuit of Divine Love.
3. The Repentance from Ransomed Souls.

I. The healing of Bartimaeus is a beautiful picture of God’s salvation!
a. To be saved, we must recognize our need.
b. To be saved, we must rely upon Jesus alone.
II. Jesus never ignores those who cry out to him in faith! ‘
a. Jesus always responds to desperate faith.
b. Conversion is the greatest miracle of all.

I. There is Suffering to Endure as we Identify with Jesus!
a. Our suffering is not one of propitiation, but one of purification.
b. Our suffering is one of identifying with Christ.
II. True Greatness is Marked by Genuine Humility.
‘ a. Disciples must reject the way of the culture and embrace the way of Christ.
b. Disciples are to be marked by humility and service.
III. Jesus Demonstrates True Greatness by Giving His Life for Us!

I. Jesus was Committed to Carry out His Father’s Will
a. We should be amazed and inspired by the courage of our Lord.
b. To fear suffering is irrational when we know the purpose of it!
II. There was a Purpose of the Savior’s Coming!
a. The cross was God’s plan from the beginning.
b. Jesus willingly came to bear the wrath of God for us!
c. Jesus was miraculously raised to save us!

Christ is Lord—and therein lies our joy, confidence, courage, and well-being!

Sola Fide (faith alone) is the centerpiece of the reformation and absolutely essential for understanding the good news of the gospel.