Sermons on Ash Wedneaday:

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

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

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

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

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

The Trampled Triumphant (An Ash Wednesday Sermon)

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Mar 5, 2025

The beginning illustration is a about a fern that won't grow because of its soil. Like the fern in the soil of hardened clay, we need a new beginning in the soil of God's grace!

THE TRAMPLED TRIUMPHANT Text: II Corinthians 5:20b – 6:10 2 Corinthians 5:20-21  So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.  (21)  For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that ...read more

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

Denomination: United Methodist

Ash Wednesday "marked, But Not For Show" Series

Contributed by Shawn Vollmerhausen on Mar 13, 2026

Explores the tension between the visible mark of ashes and Jesus’ call to a hidden, sincere faith. The sermon emphasizes the God who ‘sees in secret,’ the difference between outward signs and inward renewal, and the invitation Lent offers to return to God with honesty.

Tonight we gather at the doorway of Lent, a season that invites us to slow down, to look inward, and to return to God with honesty. Ash Wednesday is unlike any other night in the Christian year. It is quiet, reflective, and strangely beautiful. We come forward to receive ashes on our foreheads, a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-6, Matthew 6:16-21, Isaiah 58:1-12

Denomination: United Methodist

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

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

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

Don’t Be A Waste This Lent

Contributed by Andrew Hoskins on Feb 21, 2026

ASHES AND ALABASTER

DON’T BE A WASTE THIS LENT INTRODUCTION: ASHES AND ALABASTER Church, here we are. Lent is here. On Ash Wednesday we will hear the words: Genesis 3:19 New King James Version 19 In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread Till you return to the ground, For out of it you were taken; For dust you ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:19, Mark 14:3, Mark 14:4

Denomination: Baptist

"Fasting And Feasting"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Feb 17, 2010

A sermon for Ash Wednesday.

2 Corinthians 5:17-6:10 Isaiah 58:1-12 By: Ken Sauer, Pastor of East Ridge United Methodist Church, Chattanooga, TN When a couple have their first baby; a whole new chapter has opened in their lives, and nothing will ever be the same again. Many, if not most parents can relate to this. They ...read more

Denomination: United Methodist

Where Is My Beauty?

Contributed by Godwin Tam Brisibe on Aug 19, 2011

There are times when we ask questions becuase the promises of God has not been fultilled in our lives, and there is nothing wrong in asking questions.

Isaiah 61:1-4 1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the broken hearted , to proclaim liberty to the captives , and the opening of the prison to them that are bound ; 2 To proclaim the acceptable ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 61:1-4

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Master's Mark

Contributed by Kevin Barron on Feb 26, 2017

An Ash Wednesday sermon that seeks to remind us of what we signed up for when we said we would follow Jesus!

THE MASTER’S MARK ASH WEDNESDAY, YEAR A 2 CORINTHIANS 5:20-6:10 MARCH 1, 2017 FARM HILL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, HARRISBURG, AR INTRO. Branding your animals to establish ownership can traced at least as far back as the ancient Egyptians. The practice of branding slaves goes at least to the ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

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