Sermon Central
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Lent Is Not In The Bible
Contributed by Jonathan Campbell on Mar 31, 2009 (message contributor)
Summary: Four reasons why the church of Jesus Christ should have nothing to do with Lent.
1. LENT PROMOTES A SALVATION OF WORKS
Lent is ultimately a list of dos and don’ts. The focus is on the individual not Christ. Scripture teaches that forgiveness of sins cannot be obtained by our efforts. Titus 3:5 "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour."
There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain;
Then bursting forth in glorious day,
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory,
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me;
For I am His and He is mine—
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.
2. LENT TEACHES THAT PURITY CAN BE OBTAINED BY DENIAL
Many people mistakenly believe that by giving up something they will somehow be made clean in the sight of God. People give up smoking, alcohol, meat, cursing, overeating...even chewing gum! Scripture plainly teaches that purity of soul comes when the blood of Jesus is applied.
Hebrews 9:14 "How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?"
3. LENT BREAKS A CLEAR COMMAND OF SCRIPTURE
Leviticus 19:28 "Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD." Lent begins with Ash Wednesday when the mark of the cross is placed on the foreheads of people all over the world. This custom is prohibited by scripture and ought not to be practiced.
4. LENT TEACHES THAT THERE MUST BE A PERIOD OF PREPARATION BEFORE A SINNER CAN COME TO CHRIST
The idea is – prepare yourself for 40 days and then you are ready to be a disciple of Christ. But scripture teaches no such thing. Waiting is a dangerous game. Luke 14:17 "Come; for all things are now ready."
Just as I am, and waiting not
To rid my soul of one dark blot,
To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
