Ash Wednesday
Genesis 3:17-19
3.2.2022

Today begins season of the Church Year called Lent. During this season we focus on two things …
- Our sin … and Repentance
- Jesus gift to us …

The first day of Lent is called “Ash Wednesday.” The name comes from God words to Adam right after Adam and Eve commit the very first sin.

1. There are NO “perfect” days. God tells Adam that sin has changed everything.
“Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life.” Genesis 3:17

What if we choose to respond to less than perfect days/situations with GRACE?
- Child comes home with the bad grade
- Your spouse adds another errand to your list
- Your boss has a bad day and makes their bad day your bad day

<ILL: Deo Volente> Ash Wednesday is a reminder that there’s going to come a day when we’re not going to have any more days. So, what will you do with this day?

2. Our last day is not The Last Day.

When we say, “Remember you are dust and to dust you will return.” That isn’t quite complete. What we should say is, “Remember you are dust and to dust you will return … for a while.” We don’t know how long. But dust is NOT the end of our story! In fact, even the pain and struggle of the world that prevents perfect days … is only for a while!
- Sickness…for a while
- Grief…for a while
- Sadness…for a while
- Stress…for a while

During the season of Lent we focus on sin, repentance, and death. But because of Jesus, we never end with that. Because of Jesus we will life forever.

Jesus is God’s answer … God’s solution to sin and death. Through Jesus, Death is swallowed up in victory!