To See or Be Seen

Overview

Sermon title: "To See or Be Seen" — core call: choose to see (the lost, the hurting, the harvest)

rather than to be seen.

Jesus contrasted two requests: the sons of Zebedee wanting status/recognition vs. Bartimaeus

asking to see — only the latter received sight immediately.

Major missions emphasis: see the harvest (fields are ripe) and serve the least — practical examples

given (Cambodia, Nepal, Turkey, Philippines, Indonesia, Nigeria, Uganda, Vietnam, India).

Giving & faith promise: congregation invited to take a faith promise card and pray about what to give

or give up; practical tips for increasing gifts (cutting discretionary spending).

Operational notes & community logistics: upcoming week of services/devotionals, faith-promise

handouts, t-shirt distribution, and a local pavers/yard project with volunteers coordinating materials

and installation.

Sermon: To See or Be Seen

Hiker parable illustrated missions: rescuing the injured person saved both; missions calls the church

to serve others rather than seek self-preservation or reputation.

Jesus contrasts wanting to be seen versus wanting to see: Mark 10:35-37 (sons of Zebedee seek

prominence) versus Bartimaeus (asks to see); sight is granted immediately; seeking visibility blinds

mission and revelation (Saul/Paul's scales fell).

Greatness equals servanthood: Mark 10:41-45 and Matthew 23 present Christ as one who came to

serve and obey the Father; followers must lose life for Christ's sake to find it.

Three objects Jesus wants believers to see: the harvest (John 4:35 — fields white for reaping), the

helpless (Psalm 82:3-4; Isaiah 1:17 — justice for poor/orphans; 63% of deaths in Cambodia were

waterborne), and Christ in the needy (John 12; Matthew 25).

Missions and faith-promise giving are central, not extra credit: pray about a 2026 commitment (2026);

consider practical reallocations (cancel unused apps — average 5) and ask God what would take faith

to give.

Call: Faith Promise & Missions

Congregation sang the devotion song "I give my life..." with repeated praise "Jesus Christ."

Faith Promise explained as not a legally binding contract; donor list is used only for prayer support.

Church partners with indigenous ministries and sends funds directly to Congo, Nairobi, Uganda,

South Africa, Indonesia to support real people in dire conditions.

Speaker stated more than half the world has not heard about Jesus and called for faith to fulfill the

Great Commission in our lifetime.

Announcements: upcoming week services Sunday morning and night; in-house devotionals

available (sign up for email); Friday night break fast — arrive early and bring a favorite dish,

requested Nigerian rice.

Worship & Prayer Responses

Reported being on break.

Stated current status as sixth year and referenced eight years.

Attended a dinner in Gilbert this week and enjoyed it.

Started attending church last year; attended Sunday service, a girl's Bible study, and a Good

Friday/Easter worship night; reported feeling belonging and an identity shift to 'child of God'.

Committed to ongoing participation; plans to attend Sunday night and a women's Bible study on

Thursday; coordinating via a Facebook group and periodic texts for reminders.