Ash Wednesday (2)

Maybe you are asking, “What is Ash Wednesday?”

Ash Wednesday is a significant way to begin the season of Lent.

The purpose of this season is to move into a deeper life of prayer.

The tradition of this season dates back to the early church where the season of lent was used as a time of preperation for new converts for Baptism on Easter or Resurrection Sunday.

Again this year Pastor Sharon is taking the kids through this season with that in mind, as we will have some kids getting Baptized.

Right after His baptism Jesus entered into a season in the wilderness.

In this service we remember Jesus is the wilderness — Matthew 4:1-11

Matthew 4:1–11 NASB 2020

1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after He had fasted for forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” 4 But He answered and said, “It is written: ‘man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes out of the mouth of God.’ ” 5 Then the devil took Him along into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and he said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written: ‘He will give His angels orders concerning You’; and ‘On their hands they will lift You up, So that You do not strike Your foot against a stone.’ ” 7 Jesus said to him, “On the other hand, it is written: ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ” 8 Again, the devil took Him along to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; 9 and he said to Him, “All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Go away, Satan! For it is written: ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’ ” 11 Then the devil left Him; and behold, angels came and began to serve Him.

He was tempted and overcame in all that he was tempted.

Hebrews 4:15 NASB 2020

15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things just as we are, yet without sin.

In Ash Wednesday we also remind ourselves that life is short and we are utterly dependent upon God.

These Ashes remind us of the Scripture Genesis 3:19

Genesis 3:19 NASB 2020

19 By the sweat of your face You shall eat bread, Until you return to the ground, Because from it you were taken; For you are dust, And to dust you shall return.”

Thus we are telling the world that we are the ones who identify with Christ!

Today in that light we confess, repent, devote, and pray.

This must be a time of humility

Matthew 6:16–21 NASB 2020

16 “Now whenever you fast, do not make a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they distort their faces so that they will be noticed by people when they are fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 17 But as for you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 so that your fasting will not be noticed by people but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. 19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; 21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

This is a season we devote to God not for outward appearance but in a time complete humility.

We don’t do it to show that we are more righteous than anyone else.

We do it an a way that shows our complete reliance upon God.

With out whom we can do nothing and are nothing!

I like the way John the Baptist put it - John 3:30

John 3:30 NASB 2020

30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

John 3:30 NLT

30 He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.

This must be a time of prayer

Our prayer is to be in secret so as not to be seen by others.

This is a time for us to personally draw even close to God.

Deepening our relationship and dependence upon Him.

Make a commitment in this season to spend more time in prayer.

Why not give ourselves totally?

Romans 12:1–2 NASB 2020

1 Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

Lay your whole life on the altar to God in an act of sacrificial worship!

Paul also put it this way — Galatians 2:20

Galatians 2:20 NKJV

20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Our life and identity is to be wrapped totally in Christ, its not about us it’s about Him!

In this season as we go out into the world let us claim and live by our identify in Christ!

Imposition of Ashes

Confession is an essential part of this season.

Take the paper I gave you when you came in and write a confession on it.

We also want to declare our complete and total reliance upon God in this season.

Maybe you don’t have a confession but there is something you want to give over to God, then write that down on the paper instead.

I have asked Sarah and Pastor Sharon to join me up here. Teens Go to Mrs Sarah and Children go to Pastor Sharon. Adults come to me.

Place your paper in the container, then take a paper dip your finger in the water then the ashes and draw a cross on the paper and take it with you.

Mixed in these ashes are ashes from last two years of confessions and devotions.

It becomes a powerful reminder for the year. SHOW THEM MINE.

Remember that from dust you were formed and to dust you shall return.

When everyone is finished: You now have a reminder that God is greater than our transgression.

Our God is worthy of our complete devotion to Him.

Light the papers on fire!

These will be part of the ashes for next year.

Benediction:

Go now into this season in the power of the Holy Spirit to bear witness to the Savior who gave himself for us. And may the peace of Christ be with you.

Keep this your family, Lord, with your never failing mercy, that relying solely on the help of your grace, we may be upheld by your divine protection; through Christ our Lord; Amen.