Sermons on Ashes:

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

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

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

Lifted By God Series

Contributed by Kemuel Travis on Feb 22, 2007

To show that we can be lifted out of the ashes of our sins and sorrows by God as we follow the admonition in James 4.

- -Today is Ash Wednesday and begins what is commonly called the Lenten season -Origin of Lent -Not found mentioned anywhere in the Bible -Began around 230 AD -Group of Christians started fasting 40 hours leading up to Easter -Preparing their harts for Easter -The idea caught on and ...read more

Scripture: James 4:7-10

Denomination: Wesleyan

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

Dry Bones

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Jan 15, 2008

Salvation will arise from the ashes of judgment. God--in His time--will breathe new life into us and revive us.

"Dry Bones", Ezekiel 37:1-14. Pastor Bob Leroe, Cliftondale Congregational Church, Saugus, Massachusetts Ezekiel has been given an unusual preaching assignment. He’s brought by God’s Spirit to a valley full of dry bones. It is a scene of desolation and death. The bones are a gruesome image of ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-14

Denomination: Congregational

The Necessity Of Shed Blood [part 2] Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Nov 2, 2020

For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh. How much more shall the blood of Christ,

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? How much more shall the blood of Christ, Since the blood of Jesus is infinitely more precious than the blood of an animal ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 9:13-22

Denomination: Baptist

The Discipline Of Fasting

Contributed by Ian Hyde on Feb 23, 2020

Ezra the scribe knew his people needed to prepare their hearts for the difficult and dangerous journey ahead. In this sermon we look at why we as the church are called to fast and pray together, especially during the season of Lent.

A FAMILY ON THE MOVE For our family, there is rarely any experience more stressful than preparing for a trip back to Iowa to visit our parents. The kids are always excited about the prospect of staying in motels, of visiting with Grandma and Grandpa, of going out to eat at restaurants, and of ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 8:21-23, Nehemiah 1:1-6, Jonah 3:5-10, Joel 2:12-13, Psalm 35:11-14, Psalm 69:9-12, Matthew 6:16-18, Acts 13:2-3  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Nazarene

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

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

New Clothes Series

Contributed by Dr. C. David White on Nov 10, 2002

Believers are called to "put off" the old man and "put on" the new man. Literally, Christians exchange ashes for beauty, wrongness for righteousness.

Characteristics of Christianity pt 2 New Cothes I am overwhelmed with joy in the LORD my God! For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness. I am like a bridegroom in his wedding suit or a bride with her jewels. Isaiah 61:10 (NLT) [Past tense] In ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:8-17, Isaiah 61:10

Denomination: Baptist

Game On! (Super Bowl Sermon)

Contributed by Spencer Homan on Feb 3, 2008

This is a sermon that encourages people to put the work into preparing for Easter (Ash Wednesday, Sunday Services, etc.) in order to get the most out of Easter.

Matthew 17:1-9 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 17:1-9

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The New Move Of God

Contributed by Samuel M on Feb 29, 2024

The present state of the church is “the fire has left, and we are looking at the ashes.” We are simply looking at the past exploits and trying to create new exploits of God based on those past exploits. It’s as if, after God’s fire has left, from the ashes we are planning to do new exploits.

The present state of the church is “the fire has left, and we are looking at the ashes.” We are simply looking at the past exploits and trying to create new exploits of God based on those past exploits. It’s as if, after God’s fire has left, from the ashes we are planning to do new exploits. The ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 4:21

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

Lent Homily

Contributed by Z. M. D. Mcgregor on Feb 23, 2015

The following is a 15 minute homily delivered on Feb. 18, 2015, Ash Wednesday at the Church Without Walls, Houston, TX, in the kickoff observance of Lent.

Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. (Rom 12:1 NAU) I. Reflection: The Christ in Action Our symptoms revealed it. The diagnosis defined it. From vain thoughts to ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1

Denomination: Baptist