Sermons on ash wednesday:

Reconciliation, And Grace To Follow.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Feb 3, 2022

Our reconciliation with God is made possible by the grace of God through the work of Christ. Having been reconciled, we are made the righteousness of God in Him. We are enabled, by the same grace of God, to follow God in the way of righteousness.

RECONCILIATION, AND GRACE TO FOLLOW. 2 Corinthians 5:20-21; 2 Corinthians 6:1-10. As an ambassador for Christ, Paul was pleading with the Corinthians - on behalf of Christ - that they go on being reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:20). We may feel that this is unnecessary: if we are ‘called ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:20-21, 2 Corinthians 6:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Send Not To Know For Whom The Bell Tolls

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Feb 7, 2010

Ash Wednesday gives us what may be our last Lenten opportunity to repent and turn back to God.

Ash Wednesday Homily 2010 2 Cor 5:20 - 6:2 The great bell called St Ferdinand at our diocesan cathedral tolls solemnly several times each month. Many years ago I heard the toll as my father’s casket was slowly pushed out toward its ultimate resting place. Each day the low sound of bells ...read more

Denomination: Catholic

Ashes, Ashes, We All Fall Down

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Feb 26, 2020

Perhaps you have played the childhood game, Ring Around the Rosie.

Ashes, Ashes, We All Fall Down Matthew 6: 1 - 6 Intro: Do you remember as a child singing “Ring Around The Rosie”? It is unknown what the earliest version of the rhyme was or when it began. The game has a group of children form a ring, dance in a circle around a person, and stoop or fall to the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-6

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Controlling What Controls Us

Contributed by Jon Lipka on Jan 27, 2013

Part of preparing to celebrate Easter is examining ourselves, whether there is anything not of the new creation in us.

I’d like to talk to you this evening about humility. Humility has been much misunderstood and, frankly, is quite unpopular today. We can say, “Pride cometh before the fall,” but to really live that out requires radical commitment—a lifestyle that the world is unable to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-21

Denomination: Anglican

When Ye Fast.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 16, 2024

The deed is done before the all-seeing God. His approval is reward enough in itself.

WHEN YE FAST. Matthew 6:16-21. True Christianity is not the dour, miserable affair which some of its play-actors portray (Matthew 6:16). So when we fast, we must wash-and-brush up in our usual manner (Matthew 6:17). The approval of God is far more to be desired than the applause of men (Matthew ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:16-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Grace Of Submission.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Mar 4, 2025

"But He giveth more grace" (James 4:6).

THE GRACE OF SUBMISSION. James 4:1-10. James has been contrasting the ‘earthly, sensual, devilish’ wisdom that engenders ‘envying and strife’ (cf. James 3:14-16) with the ‘peaceable’ wisdom of God (cf. James 3:17-18). JAMES 4:1. With a startling suddenness, James asks, “From whence come wars ...read more

Scripture: James 4:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Your Life Is Not About You, But Jesus' Life Is

Contributed by Richard Schwedes on Feb 4, 2008

A short Ash Wednesday Sermon that encourages us to see that your life is not about you, but Jesus’ life is

Ash Wednesday has always presented me with a problem. As I read and research the scriptures for Ash Wednesday I get the feeling that God is saying, Hey Richard, hey Ray, hey….(and mention others) wake up to yourself, life is not about you, there are more important things in your life than ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

Lent From Ashes To Alms

Contributed by Bruce Lee on Feb 23, 2015

The Season of Lent is a time to live out discipleship in the world. A close look at how God rewards us as we journey these forty days of Lent From Ashes to Alms. How do you answer the call of Lent?

“Lent From Ashes to Alms” “Take heed that you do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise you have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 6:1-4 Intro: Many years ago I was pastor of an average church that had about 65 in Sunday morning ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-4, Matthew 6:21, Ephesians 1:3

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Making The Most Of Every Opportunity

Contributed by David Owens on Mar 25, 2024

Where did the Easter holiday come from? How do Christians and Churches navigate holidays in a way that takes advantage of what is on people's minds without creating religious holidays and traditions that are not biblically authorized?

A. One day an atheist was complaining to his Christian friend, “You Christians have your special holidays, such as Christmas and Easter and Jews celebrate their special holidays, such as Passover and Yom Kippur, but we atheists have no recognized special holidays. It’s just not fair!” 1. The ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 4:2-6, 1 Corinthians 9:19-23, Acts 17:23, Revelation 22:18-19, Matthew 15:8-9, 2 John 1:9, Jude 1:3-4, Matthew 7:21  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Forgiveness Is Not An Accident

Contributed by Scott Carmer on Feb 22, 2007

On Ash wednesday, we realize that God is always ready to forgive those who go to him in honest repentance.

Forgiveness is Not an Accident Psalm 51:1-17 (NRSV) February 21, 2007 Ash Wednesday On the corner of State Roads 5 and 120 up in LaGrange County, there is a campground. The best thing about the place is that there is also a little ice-cream shop on the corner. It’s a great place to go in the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:1-17

Denomination: Methodist

Be Ye Reconciled To God

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Mar 9, 2017

The once-and-forever experience of true conversion, and the on-going necessity of being sanctified.

BE YE RECONCILED TO GOD. 2 Corinthians 5:20-21; 2 Corinthians 6:1-2. As an ambassador for Christ, Paul was pleading with the Corinthians - on behalf of Christ - that they go on being reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:20). We may feel that this is unnecessary: if we are ‘called out ones’ ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:20-21, 2 Corinthians 6:1-2

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

C.p.r. For The Soul

Contributed by Jeffrey Wildrick on Feb 16, 2015

Examining Psalm 51, we see the pattern of Confession, Pardon, and Re-Creation (CPR) at work in David's life, and still effective for us today through the work of Jesus Christ. Preached on Ash Wednesday as an introduction to the season of Lent

Psalm 51; 2 Samuel 11-12 "C.P.R." Ash Wednesday INTRO: Today is Ash Wednesday, and throughout the world, Christians of many branches of Christ's church are observing this unique day in the Christian calendar. It is a day of penitence, and fasting. It is, quite frankly, a rather gloomy day. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:1-19

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

From Prayer To Praise.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Feb 27, 2025

Be merciful. My heart is fixed. Be thou exalted.

FROM PRAYER TO PRAISE. Psalm 57:1-11. This is a beautifully crafted Psalm which, according to the title, was written by David ‘when he fled from Saul in the cave.’ The Psalm has two sections: first a prayer (PSALM 57:1-6); then second, praise (PSALM 57:7-11). Each section opens with a repeated ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 57:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Need To Rend Our Hearts

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Feb 4, 2005

How many of us examine our lives that closely on a daily basis? (This sermon can be used for Ash Wednesday or in general).

THE NEED TO REND OUR HEARTS Text: Joel 2:1-2, 2 12-18 In his biography, Benjamin Franklin, reveals a lot about the kind of person he was. He would often look at his individual progress of each day. Someone (Raymond McHenry?) has observed Ben Franklin’s method specifically. ...read more

Scripture: Joel 2:1-18

Denomination: United Methodist

A Sprinkling With Hyssop

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Mar 4, 2017

A Psalm of true repentance.

A SPRINKLING WITH HYSSOP. Psalm 51:1-17. In this solemn Psalm of repentance, we dive in (headfirst, as it were) with a plea for mercy. The verbs “have mercy… blot out… wash me… cleanse me” (Psalm 51:1-2) all appear to be in the imperative: but they are in fact plaintive pleas based in the fact ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:1-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational