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
1 April 2020
They will look on the
one they have pierced - John 19:37
Introduction:
When I survey the wondrous cross
On
which the prince of glory died
My
riches gain I count but loss
And
pour contempt on all my pride
The Passion of the Christ has been our focus
through the sacred music of Johan Sebastian Bach these past three
Wednesdays. We turn now to our final
chorale – it is simply a prayer - that we may be one in Christ.
Help O Christ Thou God’s own Son
Through Thy bitter anguish
That
our wills with Thee be one
Zeal
for evil vanquish
I.
We
pray that our Will - may be one in the same as Christ’s. This we pray every
time we pray the 3rd petition of the Lord’s Prayer – “Thy will be done” – Lord!
A.
How
is this done?
1.
God’s
good and gracious will is done among us by Himself – not us!
2.
Specifically,
when God breaks and hinders every evil counsel and will which would not let us
hallow God’s name nor let His Kingdom come.
3.
Those
forces we contend with are the will of the devil, the world and our own sinful
flesh.
B.
God’s
Good and gracious will is...
1.
To
strengthen and preserve us steadfast.
2.
Keeping
us faithful to His Word and faith unto our end. “Fear not, little flock, for it is Your Father’s good pleasure to give
you the kingdom” -Luke 12:32
Transition: We pray that the
Father’s will might be done in us. Viewing Christ’s Passion we render Him our
thanks and praise.
II.
Our
focus thus is on Christ and His Cross
On Thy death and its true cause
Contrite
thoughts will render
A.
When
we consider all that Jesus endured - His suffering, agony and bloody sweet we
cry out for the Father to have mercy upon us.
1.
With
the beggar we cry, “Jesus, Master have
mercy on me!”-Mark
10:47
2.
Or,
as the Kyrie would remind us; “Lord, have
mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord, have mercy.”
3.
And,
in the words of the Agnus Dei; “O Christ
Thou Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world have mercy upon us and
grant us Thy peace.”
B.
And
we thank Him!
And though weak and full of flaws
Thee our thanks will render
1.
Thank
You Jesus, that you have taken
away my guilt and my sin.
2.
Thank
you Jesus, that You prayed;
“Father forgive them for they know not what they do.” -Luke 23:34
3.
Thank
You Jesus, who gave Stephen the
strength to pray; “Lord do not hold this sin against them!” –Acts 7:60 For this is how we
ought to pray.
Conclusion: As we have pondered Christ’s holy Passion
during this Lenten journey may we be moved to pray;
Grant that I may willingly
Bear with Thee my crosses,
Learning humbleness of Thee,
Peace mid pain and losses.
May I give thee love for love!
Hear me, O my Savior,
That I may in heaven above
Sing Thy praise forever.
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