PASTOR K’s Notes

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SERMON NOTES
Maundy Thursday, March 28, 2024 – Pastor Kischnick
THEME: “The Easy Way Out” TEXT: Mark 14:32-42
INTRO. Navy S.E.A.L. training – “hell week”= constant physical, mental, & emotional stress – sleep deprived, exposure, exhaustion – all the while  “ring the bell” = immediate end to toil, suffering, agony. It’s “The Easy Way Out”. Jesus in Gethsemane is tempted to “Take the Easy Way Out”.
I. JESUS IN HIS TRUE HUMANITY
A. Real anxiety, real fear:
1. What lies ahead of him will be horrible.
2. Physically, mentally, emotionally agonizing.
3. Spiritually without precedent: none of us will ever understand it.
B. “If there be any other way…”
ILLUST. My daughter, age 4 – “Please, Daddy, I don’t want a shot!”
1. An alternate plan? (Earlier: “Father, save me from this hour?”)
2. “The Easy Way Out” – just walk away; over the Mt. of Olives
ILLUST. Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ” – Satan figure: “You would suffer of these? Are they worth it?”
C. THESE are the very ones who will make him suffer = US
II. JESUS IN HIS TRUE DIVINITY
A. After 3 pleas, Jesus “sets his face like flint”.
1. Does NOT take “the easy way out”.
2. Knows this sacrifice must be made.
3. It will cost him EVERYTHING; he will empty himself: “nothing”
B. He and the Father are ONE.
1. “Not my will but yours be done.” 2. The Father’s will is HIS will.
3. “Yes, they ARE worth it” to them both.
C. Remember: Jesus is not the classic victim. He GIVES himself away.
III. AND NOW THE “HARD WAY” BEGINS
A. By 11:00 – he’s in their hands, disciples dispersed and hiding.
B. By 4:00 – Jesus has “blasphemed”, been condemned, abused.
C. By 6:00 – stand before Pilate accused of capital crimes.
D. By 8:00 – tried by Pilate, rejected by Herod, flogged, condemned.
E. By 9:00 – carried his cross and crucified with two malefactors.
F. By 3:00 – has given up his spirit, having suffered “the hard way”.
G. By Sundown – buried, sealed, and GONE!
CLOSE: “Masters of the Air” – Capt. Biddick, B-17, co-pilot wounded, does not abandon, crash, sacrificed: Didn’t take “the Easy Way Out.”
Jesus for us accepts the hard task, does not take “The Easy Way Out.”

PRINTABLE PDF: WSMARCH28.PDF

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My Dear Friends in Christ,


A heartfelt word of appreciation to you for your love, your gifts, your kind words, the luncheon, the video, the barrel of monkeys, the ape-filled chocolate kiss, the flowers, the “Tiny Bruce” song, the Tiny Bruce that’s in my office and creeps me out, and 30 years of your partnership in the Gospel. There’s nowhere else I’d rather have been and no people I’d rather serve. I am privileged to be your pastor, and I love you all!

I thank God every time I remember you in my prayers…” and I pray for your continued health in faith and in life.

Pastor K. – Psalm 16:8