Each Sunday we open our service with a Call to Worship — a moment when we intentionally turn our attention and affection toward God. That’s a good thing for us to do — but it’s not the first move today.

We don’t make the first move in our relationship with God. He does. He created us. He gives us the breath of life. God the Father sent Jesus His Son to heal us. And He sends His Holy Spirit to comfort us every day. So what we’re doing here today is responding. We are responding to God — and returning to Him.

Scripture says:

By God’s mercy, we do not lose heart.
The ruler of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers,
so they cannot see the light of the gospel.
But God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,”
has made the light of His glory shine in our hearts.

As God’s grace reaches more and more people,
there will be even greater rejoicing and thanksgiving.
We will give God more and more glory.

I will sing of Your goodness
I will sing of Your love
Though the seasons come quickly
You have always been enough
Though the night may get darker
Though the waiting seems long
You have always been faithful
To remind me of Your love

You are good in the morning I’ll sing
You are good in the evening I’ll sing
You are good You are good to me

You have always been patient
You have always been kind
You’re consistent through the ages
Oh what a friend of mine
So I’ll remind my soul to bless You
Standing firm upon Your truth
Knowing You cannot be shaken
’Cause I’ve seen what You can do

You keep on getting better
You keep on getting better

Every day gets sweeter
Every day gets better

Your presence, your glory,
You’re welcome in
All honour, dominion
Lord please come, near
We want you, we need you
We live to glorify
Your name

Glorify, your name
Glorify, your name
Glorify, the name, above all names

We want you, we need you
We want you, we need you
We want you, we need you
We live to glorify Your name

Church, will you join me in a time of prayer?
Please bow your heads and close your eyes. Jesus, our faithful friend, You know our weakness, and You see our hearts.
We confess that we often trust our own strength instead of Yours.
We confess that we turn our eyes toward lesser things and lose sight of You.
We bring You our sins, our fears, and our failures —the things we’ve done and the things we’ve left undone.
In Your mercy, meet us here. Forgive us, heal us, and renew us by Your grace.

Let’s take a few moments now to confess quietly before the Lord.

(Silence 10-15 sec.)

I find space for what I treasure, I make time for what I want
I choose my priorities and Jesus you’re my number one

So I will make room for you,
I will prepare for two
So you don’t feel that you
Can’t live here, please live in me

Yes, Jesus you’re my number one

My will, You can move that over
My way, You can move that over too
My Ego, You can move that over
My plans, You can move that over too
My schedule, you can move that over
My itinerary, you can move that over too
See I, I will make room for you
You can move that over
You can move that over too

The Lord is not a distant God. He is always drawing near. And the grace we have just sung about is not an idea or a feeling. It takes shape in real people, real stories, and real healing.
What you’re about to hear is not a story of effort or achievement.
It is a witness to Christ drawing near and doing the work only He can do.

Church, what we have just heard points us beyond one life to the saving work of Jesus Christ. Long before we could name our need, God spoke His promise. The prophet Isaiah spoke of the One who would show us God’s love in this way:

He carried our weaknesses.
Our sorrows weighed Him down.
We thought He was punished by God—

But He was pierced for our rebellion
and crushed for our sins.
He was wounded so we could be healed.

His life was poured out
as an offering for sin.
He will bring many children to God.
He will bear all their sins.

Jesus, You were crushed for our sin so that we could know peace. Your love did not turn away from the cross —it carried You to it.
Thank You for a love stronger than our sin and deeper than our weakness.
Church, let’s respond together in gratitude.

Miracles when You move
Such an easy thing for You to do
Your hand is moving right now
You are still showing up
At the tomb of every Lazarus
Your voice is calling me out

Right now I know You’re able
My God come through again

You can do all things
You can do all things but fail
’Cause You’ve never lost a battle
No You’ve never lost a battle
And I know​ ​I know You never will

Everything’s possible
By the power of the Holy Ghost
A new wind is blowing right now
Breaking my heart of stone
Taking over like it’s Jericho
My walls are all crashing down

You’ve never lost a battle
You’ve never lost a battle
You’ve never lost a battle
You never will

You’ve never lost a battle
You’ve never lost a battle
You’ve never lost a battle

Yes I know​ ​I know You never will
I know​ ​I know You never will

No weapon formed against me
Shall prosper; it won’t work

Blessed Assurance, Jesus is mine
He’s been my fourth man in the fire
time after time
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood
And what He did for me on Calvary
is more than enough

I trust in God, my Savior
The one who will never fail
He will never fail

Perfect submission, all is at rest
I know the author of tomorrow
has ordered my steps
So this is my story and this is my song
I’m praising my risen King and Savior
all the day long

I sought the Lord and He heard and He answered
That’s why I trust Him, that’s why I trust Him

Seeing Jesus Clearly

Jamaal Williams 

35 As he approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the road begging. Hearing a crowd passing by, he asked what was happening.

36 “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by,” they told him.

37 So he called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

38 Then those in front told him to keep quiet, but he kept crying out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

39 Jesus stopped and commanded that he be brought to him. When he came closer, he asked him,

40 “What do you want me to do for you?”

41 “Lord,” he said, “I want to see.”

42 “Receive your sight,” Jesus told him. “Your faith has saved you.”

43 Instantly he could see, and he began to follow him, glorifying God. All the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.

–Luke 18:35-43

Big Idea: We see Jesus clearly when we stop pretending we see clearly.

1.  On the Road Near Jericho (Luke 18:35–37)

• "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by."

2. A Cry for Mercy (Luke 18:38)

• "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"

3. Resistance from the Crowd (Luke 18:39)

• "Those in front told him to keep quiet..."

4. Jesus Stops (Luke 18:40)

• “Jesus stopped and commanded that he be brought to Him.”

5. An Honest Question (Luke 18:40–41)

• "What do you want me to do for you?"

6. Walking Behind Jesus 

7. The Reveal 

8. A Pause to Pray

• Are you close to Jesus — church, community, serving — but out of touch with Him?
• Are you quiet about a need because of fear or the voices around you?
• Are you here recognizing your need for salvation and mercy?

The Lord is my Shepherd
He goes before me
Defender behind me
I won’t fear

I’m filled with anointing
My cup’s overflowing
No weapon can harm me
I won’t fear

Hallelujah I am not alone
He’s my Comfort always holds me close

He always guides me
Through mountains and valleys
His joy is refreshing
Restores my soul
Mercy and goodness
Give me assurance
That I’ll see His glory
Face to face

Your Spirit lives within me
So I will walk in Your peace
Your Spirit lives within me
My victory, my victory

My victory, my victory