February 22, 2015
Stetson Memorial United
Methodist Church
1st Sunday of
Lent
Final
Words Sermon Series
“Father Forgive Them”
Luke
23:26, 33-34a NIV
Adapted
from Adam Hamilton’s book “Final Words From the Cross”
“You are forgiven. . . ”
Let us pray. . . Pray
for God’s word to be heard through me or in spite of me. . .
We live in such a fallen world. We see and
hear so much anger, despair, hopelessness, and brokenness form and by humanity.
We even sometimes wonder where God is in all this. We, as humanity, act in ways
towards each other that just can be downright mean. We say things that we are
sorry for after it is said. We have things said to us that can just rock our
world. Words and actions have such an effect on us and on those around us.
I remember when I was growing up when people
said something mean to us we would just say back “sticks and stones may hurt my
bones but names will never hurt me.” It was a quick answer to give others but
the trueness in it is that words can and do really hurt sometimes.
I remember a children’s sermon illustration
that truly changed how I view the words I say. The pastor had a pan and a tube
of toothpaste. Well the pastor asked the kids what he had and of course the
kids said a pan and toothpaste. Well, he took the toothpaste and squirted it
out on the pan. Well the kids thought that it was funny seeing all the
toothpaste on the pan. Then the pastor said to them “Ok. . . now put it back in
the tube.” Well the kids told him that there was no way to do that. The pastor
then said “Words are much like this tube of toothpaste. Once they are out, you
can’t put it back in. . . ”
So. . . what are we o do when we or someone
else has “emptied the tube of toothpaste all over us”? What are we to do when
someone has hurt us right down to the core and we are angry and hurt? How are
we to get past this point in our journey of life and faith? Is there some
example or “illustration” that that we could follow because when we are in the
midst of it all we want to do is to get even. . . to hurt that person back?
We have begun our Lenten journey to the Cross
of Calvary. As we journey, we are going to be taking a look at the Final words.
. . the seven last words or phrases. . . of Jesus from the cross. These were
the last words of His ministry here on earth. You see. . . even from the cross,
Jesus was still doing ministry. It was the leading up of the climax of His
ministry and the reason He was sent from above. It is to this place that we
will stop and ponder as we await the celebration of His victory.
So. . . the first of these momentous phrases
is the one found in Luke 22:23 and 33-34a and they read. . .
26
As the soldiers led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way
in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind
Jesus.
33
When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along
with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said,
“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
Father, forgive them for they do not
know that they are doing. . .
Forgiveness can be hard. Un-forgiveness has
been around for a long time. . . An eye
for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. Jesus’ prayer from the cross for them is one of the most powerful
Illustrations of God’s love in all of the Gospels.
But there is someone else that is being
forgiven from the cross. . . you and I. . . we are included in the them from the cross. . . The entire human race was there at the foot of
Calvary. These words from the cross were ones that rang through all of
eternity. He was praying for humanity as well as giving Himself as the
sacrificial lamb. His prayer was for those who came before, those who were
present and for those who would come after this moment in time. It was not just
those who around the cross that needed forgiveness. . . all of humanity needed
and needs forgiveness. This is about
God’s grace and mercy. . . not about what we can do to be forgiven.
Father, forgive them for they do not
know that they are doing. . .
Jesus was praying for God’s mercy and grace
on all those who sin. . . all those who do and will do wrong. It was a prayer
for us because God knew what we would do. . . how we would sin. . . before we
were ever born. This forgiveness was towards you and me before we took our
first breath. . . we were forgiven even
before we sinned. . .
Father, forgive them for they do not
know that they are doing. . .
Now. . . here is our example of what to do
when we are wronged. Now just think about this for one moment. . . If Jesus,
who was perfect and knew no wrong, can forgive those before, during and after
this moment in time. . . how can we not forgive those who sin against us. . . ?
Father, forgive them for they do not
know that they are doing. . .
Forgiveness can be complicated at times.
There are those who will never ask for forgiveness or repent of what they have
done. This is where it is difficult to forgive. But in order to live a life
free for resentment and anger. . . sometimes we have to just forgive
them anyway. . . Think of what the
alternative to forgiving is. . . It is
in these times when we need to pray that model prayer of forgiving others that
was modeled from the cross of Jesus. . .
Father, forgive them for they do not
know that they are doing. . .
We have begun our Lenten pilgrimage to the
cross. My prayer is that as we journey we will learn from the words of Jesus
from the cross. My prayer is that we will come away changed. My prayer is that
we would see the Cross of Calvary in a new and exciting way.
So. . . what are we to do with our
unforgiveness of those who have wronged us? This is what I want you to do. Take
a moment to think about people who have wronged you. Perhaps even write their
names on the bulletin you have. Now here is the tough part, would you be
willing now to join me in the prayer that Jesus prayed for those who crucified
them?
A
moment of silence to take the time to write down. . . think of. . . the people
who may have wronged us. . .
Father,
forgive them. Father you know their heart and you know my pain. I pray for
those who hurt me. Forgive them, heal me. . . Amen
Now you may have to come back several times
and pray this prayer of forgiveness. Every time you feel that anger or
resentment coming sneaking back. . . just say Father forgive them. It may take time, but eventually you heart
will be healed.
Father, forgive them for they do not
know that they are doing. . .
Amen. . .
====
February 24,
2015
Luke 23:23, 33-34
sermon, “You
Are Forgiven”
video:
text:
http://pstruthsermons.blogspot.com/2015/02/you-are-forgiven.html
https://pstrfoss.wordpress.com/2015/02/24/you-are-forgiven/
https://pstrfoss.wordpress.com/2015/02/24/you-are-forgiven/
by Pastor Ruth
Foss
sermon blog
meditation
blog
“God’s
Whisper” blog
Children’s
Message – “Jesus is our superhero”
-
Mystery
box – Iron Man, Incredible Hulk, Captain America, Scooby Do
-
and a
candy cane
video:
image:
text:
centering,
“Surely the Presence”
praise
hymn, “I Sing the Mighty Power of God”
offertory
hymn, “Make My Life A Prayer to You”
Communion
hymn, “Praise the Lord! Ye Heavens, Adore Him”
closing hymn,
“Our God Reigns”
Stetson
Memorial United Methodist Church
1st
Sunday in Lent
February 22,
2015
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2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015. All rights
reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 36,080+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
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