Ash Wednesday: The Heart of Repentance
Ash Wednesday • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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“Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;
and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.
Introduction: Ashes That Speak
Introduction: Ashes That Speak
Ash Wednesday confronts us with truth.
“Remember that you are dust…” — We are not as strong as we think.
We are not as permanent as we assume.
We are not as self-sufficient as we pretend.
But this night is not about shame.
It is about returning.
Joel speaks into a moment of crisis. The people had experienced devastation. Spiritually and physically, they were dry. Yet into that moment, God speaks two powerful words:
“Even now…”
That is grace.
I. The Invitation: “Return to Me”
I. The Invitation: “Return to Me”
“Yet even now, says the LORD, return to me with all your heart…”
Key Truth:
Key Truth:
Repentance begins with God’s invitation — not our initiative.
“Even now” means it is not too late.
Even now — after failure.
Even now — after compromise.
Even now — after spiritual drift.
God does not say:
Clean yourself up first.
Fix your mess first.
Pay off your debt first.
He says:
Return.
The prodigal son went home rehearsing an apology.
He expected a lecture.
He expected rejection.
But Jesus says, “While he was still far off, his father saw him…” — and ran.
Before the speech was finished, the son was embraced.
He expected consequences.
He received compassion.
That’s repentance — not approaching a scolding judge, but returning to a Father already running toward you.
Ask:
Where have I drifted?
Where has my heart grown cold?
What has replaced my affection for God?
Repentance is not just turning from sin.
It is turning back toward God.
God says and shows powerful things that happen when we turn back to Him:
if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
“Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near;
let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out
These Scriptures remind us that God’s call has always been the same: return.
Return not because we are strong, but because He is merciful.
Return not because we deserve another chance, but because He delights in giving one.
Return not in shame, but in hope.
The thread running through every one of these verses is this: when we turn toward God, He moves toward us. He is not distant. He is not reluctant. He is ready.
II. The Depth: “With All Your Heart”
II. The Depth: “With All Your Heart”
God does not ask for partial repentance.
Not polite regret.
Not religious habit.
Not emotional moments.
He asks for all your heart.
Preach This:
Preach This:
Half-hearted repentance keeps us stuck.
We say:
“I’m sorry… but…”
“I know I shouldn’t… but…”
God is not interested in surface compliance.
He wants surrendered hearts.
Do I grieve sin because of consequences — or because it grieves God?
Do I confess quickly — or excuse slowly?
Repentance is not behavior management.
It is heart surrender.
III. The Warning: “Rend Your Hearts, Not Your Garments”
III. The Warning: “Rend Your Hearts, Not Your Garments”
In Joel’s day, people tore their clothes to show sorrow.
It was visible.
It was dramatic.
It was public.
But it could be fake.
Clothes are easy to tear.
Hearts are harder.
God is not impressed by religious theater.
You can:
Attend services.
Receive ashes.
Post Bible verses.
Give something up for Lent.
And still remain unchanged.
Outward ritual without inward surrender is spiritual cosmetics.
It’s repainting a house with a cracked foundation.
Application:
Application:
This Lent:
Don’t just give something up.
Give something over.
Give something to God that has been controlling you.
Ask:
What needs to be broken in me so God can heal it?
IV. The Motivation: “For He Is Gracious and Merciful”
IV. The Motivation: “For He Is Gracious and Merciful”
This is the turning point.
God does not call us back because He is harsh.
He calls us back because He is good.
Gracious — He gives what we don’t deserve.
Merciful — He withholds what we do deserve.
Slow to anger — He is patient.
Abounding in steadfast love — He does not run out.
We repent because we trust His character.
If God were cruel, we would hide.
If God were indifferent, we would wander.
But because God is merciful, we return.
The cross proves this.
Jesus bore ashes.
Jesus bore dust.
Jesus bore death.
So we could bear mercy.
V. The Result: A Transformed Heart
V. The Result: A Transformed Heart
True repentance produces change.
Paul calls it “godly sorrow.”
Worldly sorrow says:
“I got caught.”
Godly sorrow says:
“I want to be different.”
Repentance leads to:
Freedom from shame.
Freedom from hiding.
Freedom from repeating cycles.
It is surgery.
It hurts.
But it heals.
Ash Wednesday is not the end of the story.
It leads to resurrection.
Closing: Even Now
Closing: Even Now
Tonight, God is not standing with crossed arms.
He is saying:
Even now.
Even here.
Even after this.
Return.
As you receive ashes, let them be more than symbol.
Let them mark:
A surrendered heart.
A broken pride.
A renewed devotion.
Repentance is not looking backward in despair.
It is turning forward in hope.
“Return to the LORD your God.”
Even now.
Amen.
