Yesterday, you may have seen people with a black ash smeared on their foreheads. As many of you know, this was Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the season known as Lent. Several traditional churches, such as the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches, mandate the imposition of ashes and a 40-day season of fasting and penitence as liturgical observances and obligatory disciplines.
Our church is guided by the sufficiency of Scripture, not tradition or liturgy. However, this cultural and religious season offers us many opportunities to reflect on several truths.
1. Humility: Everyone is frail; We will all die; We are dependent upon God for everything; There is hope for those in Christ.
Scripture reminds us plainly of our frailty: “You are dust, and to dust you shall return” (Genesis 3:19).
This echoes the reality of sin’s curse and our need for a Savior. As Psalm 103:14 declares, “He knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.”
Let this season prompt humble gratitude that our hope is not in our strength but in Christ’s resurrection life. Daniel 12:2:
“Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt.”
2. We are sinners in need of ongoing repentance.
The Bible repeatedly calls God’s people to repentance—not as a seasonal duty, but as a daily posture of heart. Jesus began His ministry proclaiming, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17).
In 2 Corinthians 7:10, Paul distinguishes godly sorrow that leads to repentance. We are invited daily to turn from sin and trust afresh in Christ’s finished work.
3. Christ’s Atoning Work Is Sufficient for Our Salvation.
Lent traditionally focuses on Christ’s suffering and death, culminating in Easter. We rejoice that His once-for-all sacrifice (Hebrews 10:10–14) fully covers our sins—no additional penance or observance is needed. Yet, meditating on His passion deepens our love for Him and fuels our worship. As we approach Good Friday and Easter, may we fix our eyes more intently on the cross and empty tomb.
4. Growth in Christlikeness (Sanctification) Is Always Important
This is the ongoing work of God in us—”God is saving you” daily through the Spirit (Philippians 2:12–13). Practices like increased prayer, Scripture meditation, fasting (as Jesus taught in Matthew 6:16–18, done privately and not for show), or acts of mercy can help us “put off the old self” and “put on the new self” (Ephesians 4:22–24). These are not seasonal requirements but means of grace we can embrace anytime to grow in holiness.
5. An Opportunity to Share the Gospel
Many around us will be reflecting on sin, mortality, and renewal during this period. What a perfect moment to point them to the true source of forgiveness and new life: Jesus Christ, who reconciles us to God (2 Corinthians 5:18–20). As ambassadors for Christ, let’s be ready to share the hope we have—not in rituals, but in the person and work of our Savior.
In light of all this, I encourage you to join us each Lord’s Day over the coming weeks as we continue our sermon series on Ephesians, keeping the gospel central.
Consider personal or family practices that draw you closer to Christ—such as more time in the Word, prayer for the lost, or even fasting.
Look for natural conversations to share why our hope rests solely in Jesus’ death and resurrection, not in our observances.
-Pastor Brian Shealy
