Looking At Lent

Looking at Lent

Selective verses

Prayer- For a mighty move of God in our hearts and a calling to be more like Jesus in our lives.

Introduction-

This morning we sprang forward one hour so that we can enjoy one more hour of sunlight. Everyone seems to like more sunlight but not everyone likes losing an hour of sleep to get it. Some woke up late and had to run a little faster to get here and some will not make it at all and some we will be saying hello to us as we are leaving this morning which happened a few year ago.

Seems to me like everything that appears good for us comes with challenges and sacrifices.

This morning as we begin the Lenten season is not different.

I did not grow up participating with the traditions of lent and all the different services leading up to Easter Sunday.

I think the season of lent is very important and can lead us to a deeper relationship with the Lord if we allow it.

As a kid for me, Easter was about finding an Easter basket and enjoying candy and chocolates.

As I grew and began my faith journey, I went to a church that did not even talk about Lent, only the powerful resurrection Sunday of Easter.

Maybe, this morning, you were like me and did not understand lent and now as we get older and journey farther in our faith, you would like to see what lent is and how it can help us journey as a Christian.

Quick overview of the Lenten season

Lent is the 40 days before Easter, not counting Sundays where we march towards Calvary and the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

It is a time that usually gets sucked up with pagan traditions.

A lot of people miss the deep Christian traditions that help us walk closer to the Lord.

Eggs and bunnies are fun, but remembering what Christ has done for us can change your life.

It begins on Ash Wednesday- The palm branches that were waved the year before on Palm Sunday are burnt and the ashes saved and used the following year. The minister or priest prays and makes the sign of the cross on your forehead with the ashes as you begin the most holy time.

Palm Sunday- The Sunday before Easter where Jesus came into Jerusalem and all shouted Hosanna with those palm leaves waving and cheering, and a few days later, the same people crying out Crucify Him!

Maundy Thursday- A quiet sober day as we remember the betrayal of Jesus by Judas.

The day that Jesus washed the feet of his disciples.

His lesson on humility

The day He shared his last Passover meal before He went to the cross.

Luke 22:27-38 –

" When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.” After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me."

John 13:2-17 - "Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”

Philippians 2:1-11 - "Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness...