I Thirst, Thou Wounded Lamb of God

Count Zinzendorf

The sermon emphasizes the profound relationship between our thirst for God and the transformative power of Christ's sacrifice and grace in our lives.
Count Zinzendorf preaches about the deep longing for the cleansing blood of Jesus, the desire to be sealed in His love, and the blessedness of abiding in His presence. He emphasizes the transformative power of God's grace and the wondrous love that brings sinners to glory. The sermon reflects on the overwhelming gratitude and awe for the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, leading to a surrender of hearts and lives to Him.

Text

I thirst, Thou wounded Lamb of God,

To wash me in Thy cleansing blood,

To dwell within Thy wounds; then pain

Is sweet, and life or death is gain.

Take this poor heart, and let it be

For ever closed to all but Thee!

Seal Thou my breast, and let me wear

That pledge of love for ever there.

How blest are they who still abide,

Close sheltered in Thy bleeding side;

Who life and strength from thence derive,

And by Thee move, and in Thee live.

What are our works, but sin and death,

Till Thou Thy quickening Spirit breathe?

Thou giv'st the power Thy grace to move;

O wondrous grace! O boundless love!

How can it be, Thou heavenly King,

That Thou shouldst us to glory bring;

Make slaves the partners of Thy throne,

Decked with a never-failing crown?

Hence our hearts melt, our eyes o'erflow,

Our words are lost; nor will we know,

Nor will we think of aught beside,

My Lord, my Love, is crucified!

Ah! Lord, enlarge our scanty thought,

To know the wonders Thou hast wrought;

Unloose our stammering tongues to tell

Thy love immense, unsearchable.

First-born of many brethren, Thou!

To Thee, lo! all our souls we bow,

To Thee our hearts and hands we give,

Thine may we die, Thine may we live!

Sermon Outline

I points: - The significance of thirsting for God - Understanding the wounds of Christ - The relationship between pain and gain
II points: - The importance of a heart dedicated to God - The seal of love in our lives - Living in the presence of Christ
III points: - The nature of our works without grace - The transformative power of the Holy Spirit - Experiencing boundless love
IV points: - The glory of being brought to the throne - The joy of being crowned with eternal life - The emotional response to Christ's sacrifice
V points: - The call to expand our understanding of God's wonders - The necessity of expressing our love for God - Committing our lives to Christ

Key Quotes

“I thirst, Thou wounded Lamb of God, To wash me in Thy cleansing blood.” — Count Zinzendorf

“How blest are they who still abide, Close sheltered in Thy bleeding side.” — Count Zinzendorf

“Ah! Lord, enlarge our scanty thought, To know the wonders Thou hast wrought.” — Count Zinzendorf

Application Points

Seek a deeper relationship with God through prayer and reflection.
Recognize the significance of Christ's sacrifice in your daily life.
Commit to living out your faith by sharing God's love with others.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to thirst for God?

Thirsting for God signifies a deep longing for His presence and grace in our lives.

How can we find strength in Christ's wounds?

We find strength in Christ's wounds by recognizing that they are a source of healing and life for us.

What role does grace play in our works?

Without grace, our works are empty; it is through grace that we are empowered to do good.

How can we express our love for God?

We can express our love for God through worship, obedience, and sharing His love with others.