Sermons on Ash Water:

Return To The Lord

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Jun 20, 2019

We are right to emphasize that God loves us, but we too easily forget that because he loves us he wants us to be the best we can be and calls us to a deep repentance.

Return to the Lord Isaiah 1:12-20 Ash Wednesday, February 22, 2012 Rev. Stephen Aram We live in a time when the church really emphasizes the mercy and grace of God. How many times have you heard it said that God loves us just the way we are and that he will be there any time we call? And ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 1:12-20

Lent 2021

Contributed by Michael Hopkins on Feb 17, 2021

A sermon for the start of Lent 2021

I think this is the point where I am supposed to talk about Lent being a penitential time, and time for giving things up, but that seems patent nonsense in 2021. In the last eleven months we have given up more than we ever wished for longer than we would have wished. And we have lost some people ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:9-15

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Confession: The First Step Towards Wholeness Series

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Feb 18, 2021

Ash Wednesday's confession of sin is our first step towards wholeness

February 17, 2021 Ash Wednesday Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson Psalm 51:1-17; Confession: The First Step towards Wholeness Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. Today we turn the corner and a new season stands before us, ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

Why I Take The Mark

Contributed by Gerald Roberts on Feb 22, 2026

Ash Wednesday

“Why I Take the Mark” Genesis 3:19 • Today we gather at the beginning of Lent, a season of repentance, reflection, and renewal. • And on this day, Christians around the world willingly receive a mark on their foreheads — a smudge of ashes in the shape of a cross. • Christians will walk around ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:19

Denomination: Methodist

“ A Bridge Over Troubled Waters

Contributed by Jessie Manuel on Feb 28, 2026

In our Christian walk, we go through different seasons. There are seasons where we are experiencing the good times: blessings one after another.

In our Christian walk, we go through different seasons. There are seasons where we are experiencing the good times: blessings one after another. During these times, we sing the songs of Zion with joy. Then there are seasons where it feels like we are going through a drought and famine. This is ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:24

Denomination: Methodist

Ash Wednesday Emtional Wounds--Emotional Healing

Contributed by Rick Gillespie- Mobley on Mar 15, 2011

This message was preached on Ash Wednesday and it deals with the power of Jesus Christ to bring healing to the emotional wounds of our lives.

Ash Wednesday Emotional Wounds & Healing 3/9/11 Isaiah 53:1-15 Luke 4:14-20 Ash Wednesday is a time when we begin to become clean with God and accept what God says about us. I came across the following section from the book “Imitation of Christ” “I ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:1-12

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Nehemiah, The Rebuild Begins, Dealing With Rubble And Ash! Series

Contributed by Andrew Moffatt on Feb 7, 2010

A narrative of the first two chapters of Nehemiah, Nehemiah tells his story up to the beginning of the work of restoration.

Introduction: Thanks to the NIV Bible and Message paraphrase, both of which I’ve leaned fairly heavily upon for this attempt at a narrative of the first two chapters of Nehemiah. This is a narrative that has been Kiwified, i.e. easily understood by New Zealanders. The Narrator’s words are in ...read more

Denomination: Salvation Army

Keep Calm And Carry On - A Sermon For Ash Wednesday

Contributed by Michael Hopkins on Feb 17, 2013

A sermon for Ash Wednesday - for a UK congregation

Joel 2:1-2 & 12-17 John 8:1-11 I’m beginning, totally unsuitably for Lent, with an expression of pride. I’m very proud of my collection of the complete set of Carry On films - it’s the earthy British humour of the 1960s and 1970s at its best (or worst, depending upon your point ...read more

Scripture: Joel 2:1-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Ash Wednesday: Leave No Cobweb Un-Swept

Contributed by Warner Pidgeon on Mar 5, 2014

A short talk for our annual Ash Wednesday service. The bright light of God's judgement and holiness and grace calls us to leave no stone unturned and no cobweb un-swept as we route out sin.

In 1977 (in his book How to be born again) Billy Graham wrote: ‘Several years ago I was to be interviewed at my home for a well-known television show and, knowing it would appear on nationwide television, my wife [Ruth] took great pains to see that everything looked nice. She had vacuumed and ...read more

Scripture: Joel 2:12-17

Denomination: Anglican

Section (2) Answers From An Ash Heap Series

Contributed by Luther Sexton on Feb 19, 2019

Looking for answers for reason of suffering.

IV. ANSWERS FROM AN ASH HEAP A. Suffering can be for 1. Participation -- Being Human -- Because we are a part of the human race, and the human race (thanks to Adam and Eve) is conceived and born in sin. Rom 5:12&19 Ps 51:5 Romans 8:22 "whole creation groaneth" ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:12, Job 1:9

Denomination: Pentecostal

Glass Houses: Skeptics Anonymous (Ash Wednesday) Series

Contributed by Robert Butler on Oct 18, 2019

We all carry skepticism but Jesus transforms it for the glory of God

Ash Wednesday marks the first day of 40 that call the season of Lent. While the Bible does not mention Ash Wednesday or the custom of Lent, it does talk of the practice of repentance and mourning in ashes. This was a common place Middle Eastern practice in which garments were ripped because they ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 13:19, Esther 4:1, Job 2:8, Daniel 9:3, Matthew 11:21  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The God Who Brings Beauty Out Of Ashes Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jul 31, 2025

The phrase “beauty for ashes” is a divine exchange initiated by the mercy and love of God. It represents His ability to replace sorrow with joy, shame with glory, and hopelessness with purpose.

THE GOD WHO BRINGS BEAUTY OUT OF ASHES By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Isaiah 61:1-3 Supporting Texts: Romans 8:28, Psalm 30:11, Joel 2:25, Job 42:10, Genesis 50:20 INTRODUCTION: Life often presents us with seasons of devastation, disgrace, and despair—times when it seems like all that is ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 61:1-3

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Spiritual Cleansing

Contributed by W Pittendreigh on Feb 22, 2005

An Ash Wednesday.

Spiritual Cleansing Delivered on Ash Wednesday, 2005 By The Rev. Dr. W. Maynard Pittendreigh Senior Pastor Mpittendreigh@goodshepherdpc.org I John 1:5-9 5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:5-9

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Should Protestants Change Our Habits During Lent?

Contributed by Dennis King on Feb 25, 2018

What is the value of Lenten Rituals to Protestants?

We could look to the time of Lent as traditional activities representing the death of Christ plus His resurrection, and return. This year, the 2018 Lenten Season began on February 14th – Valentines' day. For Lent that day is called Ash Wednesday and people, worldwide, gave up certain foods or ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:16-18

Denomination: Baptist

A Call To Wholehearted Repentance.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jan 29, 2022

This call comes from the LORD Himself.

A CALL TO WHOLEHEARTED REPENTANCE. Joel 2:1-2, Joel 2:12-17. An old elder once said to me that his only regret was 'the years that the locust has eaten' (Joel 2:25). However, there is no point in bemoaning what may have been, but rather our eyes should be on the here and now, and in ...read more

Scripture: Joel 2:1-2, Joel 2:12-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational