Lenten Sermon, Maundy Thurday

TEXT: Galatians 2:20
THEME: Having been saved by Christ, we are empowered to live for Him.
TITLE: "Words That Include Us All"

Selected Text
Maundy Thursday
Our Savior Lutheran Church
Pagosa Springs, Colorado
April 13, 1995

INTRODUCTION

HOW OFTEN JESUS HAD SAVED PETER.
1. Remember when Jesus saved him with His hand. (Mt. 14:22-36)
  1. The disciples were in a small boat in the Sea of Galilee.
  2. Jesus came to them walking on the Water
  3. Peter is told to come to Him....When eyes were off Jesus, began to sink.
  4. Jesus reached out with His hand and saved him...Saved by a hand.
2. Remember when Jesus saved him by a word. (Mt. 16:21-23)
  1. Jesus had announced that His death was eminent at Jerusalem.
  2. But Peter would not accept it and began to rebuke the Lord.
  3. Jesus responded that such thinking was satanic.
  4. Salvation was to come through suffering and death...Saved by a word.
3. Remember when Jesus saved him by a look. (Lk. 22:54-62)
  1. Christ had told me that I would deny Him three times.
  2. I could not conceive of such an event, but later, after Gethsemany...after the arrest and the arraignment in the courtyard of the High Priest...
  3. The brazen girl identified me and I denied that I even knew my Lord three times!...the rooster crowed.
  4. At that instant, Jesus looked at me...A look that both judged and extended mercy...Saved by a look.
4. Finally, and eternally, Peter saved me by at the cross. (Gal. 2:20)
  1. "...who loved me and gave Himself for me."
  2. There those words were forged into Peter's heart and mind.
  3. These are words that include us all...apply to us all...Saved by a cross.
DEAR FRIENDS, LET THESE WORDS SINK DEEPLY INTO YOUR CONSCIOUSNESS, CLING TO THEM, NEVER LET THEM GO.
1. Whenever you see a cross...whenever you see a crucifix remind yourself at once:
  1. I did that!...It was because of me that the cross was raised, the nails were driven...the side was pierced.
  2. But please don't stop there - that is the accusing action of the Law...move on quickly!
  3. Not only was this done because of me, but it was done for me
2. Tonight, after I am gone, gather around His table of grace and celebrate the Holy Supper as He has commanded you to do.
  1. As you do, remember that He will keep His pledge to you.
  2. He will keep His pledge of forgiveness, of life and salvation mingled with His body and blood.
3. And what of your pledge to Him?
  1. Come to the table in faith; leave with His grace.
  2. ILLUS: Old superstition - One cannot safely die until he has made the sign of the cross on the earth... Superstition or not, it contains a profound truth, that somewhere on this earth our lives ought to make the sign of the cross, else we shall neither safely live or die.
  3. Go forth from the table, make the sign of the cross somewhere in this world of men and women who desperately need the message of that cross more than they need the air that they breath.