Community Brookside

06/21/2026

This morning, as a part of our sermon series "Tell Me the Stories of Jesus.," we are looking at the miracle of Jesus meeting a simple need of those around him.

While the disciples still didn't fully grasp the goodness of God, Jesus shows that God is concerned about even the smallest part of what it means to be human.

Join us as we dive deeper into the stories of Jesus again this morning.

06/14/2026

Sometimes the people closest to Jesus struggle to see Him clearly The disciples walked with Him daily, yet still missed His true mission. Are we guilty of spiritual blindness too?

06/13/2026

Faith That Refuses to Settle
After receiving his sight, Bartimaeus didn't just go home to celebrate or return to his old spot by the roadside. He immediately followed Jesus along the road - the same road that led to Jerusalem and the cross. His healing wasn't the end of his story; it was the beginning of his discipleship. Bartimaeus represents the kind of faith we're all called to have - faith that refuses to be quiet when others tell us to hush, faith that refuses to give up when circumstances look impossible, and faith that refuses to settle for anything less than the presence of Jesus. His story reminds us that seeing Jesus clearly isn't about having perfect vision or perfect circumstances; it's about having a heart that refuses to give up. The same Jesus who opened Bartimaeus's blind eyes is still opening eyes today - both physical and spiritual. He's still stopping for those who cry out to him, still listening for voices the world tries to silence, and still transforming lives completely. We just need to be willing to cry out with desperate, determined faith.

Bible Verse
'"Go," said Jesus, "your faith has healed you." Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.' - Mark 10:52 (New International Version (NIV))
Reflection Question
How can you develop faith that refuses to settle for anything less than Jesus's presence and power in your life?

Sermon Quote
Bartimaeus reminds us that seeing Jesus clearly isn't about having perfect vision. It's about having a heart that refuses to give up. It's about having a voice that refuses to be quiet and a faith that refuses to settle anything for anything less than the presence of Jesus.

Prayer
Jesus, help me develop faith like Bartimaeus - desperate, determined, and courageous. May I never become so familiar with You that I stop truly seeing You for who You are.

06/13/2026

Sometimes the church becomes the very obstacle keeping people from Jesus. When Bartimaeus refused to be silenced by the crowd, he found healing. Are we facilitating encounters with Christ or pushing people away?

06/12/2026

06/12/2026

The moment when a blind man saw what others couldn't see Bartimaeus recognized Jesus as the promised Messiah before he could even see His face. Sometimes spiritual sight is clearer than physical sight. What are you truly seeing today?

06/12/2026

Throwing Off Your Old Life
When Jesus called for Bartimaeus, something remarkable happened. The blind man threw off his cloak - not just set it aside but threw it off with determination. This wasn't just any piece of clothing; it was his lifeline. For a beggar, a cloak was security, shelter, warmth, and protection. It was literally what kept him alive. By throwing off his cloak, Bartimaeus was making a statement of faith that went beyond hope - it was certainty. He was abandoning his old system of survival because he knew Jesus could and would heal him. This wasn't a backup plan; this was complete surrender. He was running toward Jesus with nothing to fall back on but Jesus himself. Sometimes following Jesus requires us to throw off the very things we've depended on for security. It might be a relationship, a job, a habit, or even an identity that's kept us "safe" but also kept us from truly living. True faith sometimes means letting go of our old life completely, trusting that Jesus has something better.

Bible Verse
'Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.' - Mark 10:50 (New International Version (NIV))

Reflection Question
What "cloak" in your life - what security or old way of surviving - might Jesus be asking you to throw off in order to follow him more fully?

Sermon Quote
Throwing a cloak off meant that he was letting go of his old life. He was letting go of his old identity and his old system of survival because he knew that Jesus could heal him and was going to.

Prayer
Lord, give me the courage to let go of the things I've depended on for security when they keep me from fully following You. Help me trust You completely, even when I have nothing to fall back on but You.

06/11/2026

Sometimes we get so familiar with Jesus that we stop truly seeing Him Just like the disciples who walked with Jesus daily but missed what He was doing, we can attend church, read scripture, and serve faithfully yet still have spiritual blind spots. Bartimaeus teaches us that clear vision isn't about perfection—it's about a heart that refuses to give up and a voice that won't be silenced!

06/11/2026

Jesus Stops for You
Picture the scene: Jesus is on his final journey to Jerusalem, knowing the cross awaits him. The crowd is large and urgent, everyone wanting to get closer to this famous teacher. In the midst of all this commotion, one voice rises above the rest - a desperate cry from a blind beggar that most people wanted to silence. And then something beautiful happens. Jesus stops. Not just slows down or acknowledges from a distance but completely stops his urgent mission for one man's voice. He stops the crowd, stops the noise, stops everything to focus on Bartimaeus. This moment reveals the heart of our Savior - no one is too small, too broken, or too insignificant for his attention. In your moments of desperation, when life feels chaotic and you wonder if anyone notices your pain, remember this: Jesus stops for you. Your cry for help doesn't interrupt his plans; it fulfills them. He's not too busy, too important, or too focused on bigger things to hear your voice.

Bible Verse
'Jesus stopped and said, "Call him." So they called to the blind man, "Cheer up! On your feet! He's calling you."' - Mark 10:49 (New International Version (NIV))

Reflection Question
In what area of your life do you need to trust that Jesus would stop everything just to focus on you and your need?

Sermon Quote
Jesus stopped, right? Walking, moving. All right, whoa, whoa. Bring me that man who's calling my name. He stops the crowd. He stops the noise. He stops where he's going for one man, for one voice, so that Jesus can show mercy in this moment.

Prayer
Thank You, Jesus, that You stop for me in my moments of need. Help me believe that I matter enough to You that You would pause everything just to hear my voice.

06/10/2026

Stop being polite with your faith! Bartimaeus refused to be silenced when the crowd told him to be quiet - he shouted LOUDER for Jesus. Sometimes we need desperate, determined, and courageous faith that's willing to make some noise. Are you too embarrassed to cry out to Jesus when you need healing?