Zion
Evangelical Lutheran Church
Friedheim
10653 N – 550 W
Decatur, IN 46733
A 21st Century Parish with a 1st Century
Faith
Acts 2:42
Celebrating our 182nd Year
Chartered February 25, 1838
“Jesus
I will Ponder Now”
A Lenten series based on six Chorales written by Sigismund v. Birken
& Johan Sebastian Bach
18March 2020Mid-week #4
When Jesus came out wearing the crown of
thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, Behold the man! - John 19:5
Introduction:
“Behold the man!” That’s what Pilate
said. Who is this Jesus? How will you perceive Him? How will you react to Him?
What has He done to deserve all this? Our chorale for this evening penned by
Johan Sebastian Bach gives us much to contemplate.
I. Behold, the Savior of the world. Jesu,
who for me didst die, Livest now forever.
A. Christ died –
1. He died for every sinner.
2. He died for me!
B. But now He lives –
1. Death could not hold Him.
2. He now lives and reigns through all
eternity.
II. Behold Him who will hold us in death.
When my hour of death draws nigh, Let me waver never.
A. Each must face death.
1. It
is appointed for man once to die and after that face judgment. -Hebrews
9:72
2. Death is a curse, which sinful humans
have brought upon themselves. “The soul
that sins it shall die.” - Ezekiel 18;4,20
B. Yet we can face death confidently in
Jesus.
1. Because Christ defeated death by His
own death we can now see death as a gate, which leads to eternal life.
2. When facing our own demise terrors of
conscience may seize us. Only Christ can keep us faithful. “Be Thou faithful until death and I will give
Thee the crown of life.” - Revelation 2:10
III. Behold Him who will keep us. May I e’er
to Thee be turned, O my faithful Savior.
A. By our own reason or strength we cannot
come to Him.
2. Our sin prevents us.
B. Thus He sends us His Holy Spirit who…
1. Calls us - by the Gospel
2. Gathers us – into His body the Church
3. Enlightens us – with His gifts
4. Sanctifies us – keeps us holy
5. Keeps us – in the one true faith
IV. Behold him who will receive us into His
glory. Give me but what Thou has earned, More I do not pray for.
A. What has Christ earned?
1. We now have peace with God.
2. We are given access to the Father’s
throne - room of grace.
3. We have received forgiveness from all
sin.
4. We’ve been given the hope of heaven
with mansions glorious.
B. With all these gifts what more do we
need?
1. The Christian can now be content.
2. There is nothing lacking for Christ has
the sufficiency to supply us with all that we may ever need.
Conclusion:
I
am content my Jesus liveth still
In
whom my heart is pleased.
He
hath fulfilled the Law of God for me,
God’s
Wrath He hath appeased.
Since
He in death could perish never
I
also shall not die forever.
I
am content! I am content!
I Am
Content from The Lutheran Hymnal Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO ©
1940
Artwork
by Ed Rojas © Higher Things
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