Sermon Tone Analysis

History of Ash Wednesday

First Reading 2019 Ash Wednesday

Isa 58:

: 1-

Isa

Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent.

Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent.

Does anyone know how Lent got started?

It’s not in the Bible.

There is no

verse that says "Thou shalt celebrate Lent."

Around 230 AD, a group of Christians started fasting for the 40 hours leading up to Easter.

To prepare their hearts for Easter.

Pretty soon, the idea caught on.

Years later, they bumped it up to 7 days of fasting.

And they called it Holy Week.

And by 325 AD, the church officially made it 40 days.

Representing Jesus’ 40 days of testing in the wilderness.

The first day of Lent in Western churches, so designated from the custom of sprinkling ashes on the heads of the people as a sign of mortality, accompanied by the words “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return” (Gen 3:19).

Psalm 51

Ash Wednesday is all about us recognizing that something is not right with our lives.

The way we are living is not fulfilling without Christ.

It is us looking ahead to what Christ endured for us, paying the debt for our sin with His Blood. . . it is a time were we realize that we can not be flippant about our sin.

David, in , realizes that his sin is ever before him and that he needs God to cleanse him.

Likewise, we need to acknowledge our sin, confess our sin and surrender all things to the finished work Of Christ.

At this time in silent prayer, confess your sins to God and then come forward and allow the Pastors and ministers anoint your heads with Ashes.

You will here one of two phrases commonly recited in traditional ash Wednesday services:

1.Remember that you are dust, to dust you shall return 2.Repent and believe the Gospel

Go to God in Prayer at this time.