Good evening and welcome to our Ash Wednesday service here at Hissom Gospel Tabernacle.

Today is Wednesday , March 2.

Ash Wednesday is the beginning of celebrations the leads up to Easter. Tonight, we are going to celebrate with the application of ashes.

Let’s use this time service to renew our devotion and our faith in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Let’s open the service up with a prayer tonight. Father in heaven, we gather today in remembrance of Jesus Christ. To remember yes birth, to remember his time on earth, and to remember his resurrection. Lord thank you that you knew and provided Jesus Christ. We have so many needs among us this evening that I don’t even know where to begin to provide an answer, but I’m so glad that you know all about every situation. Help us to lean upon you. Help us to hold your hand; while, we wait for the answers to our requests. Thank you Lord for your many wonderful blessings especially as we remember now Jesus Christ. Be in this service. Help us to focus on the task at hand. Lead us and direct us closer to Jesus Christ. In the name of your son amen.

Now, I would like to invite you, to sing with me, The following song: “ Spirit of God.”

The following scripture is perfect for Ash Wednesday, because before we partake in such an endeavor we must check our motives. Therefore, I’ve included it here for you to read along with me:

Matthew 6:1-2 & 6 (New International Version)

6 “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them.^(A) If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

² “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. ³ But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, ⁴ so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.^(B)

Prayer^(C)

⁵ “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing^(D) in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. ⁶ But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father,^(E) who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Well, did we all just not hear Jesus warn us about putting our Christian heritage on display for all to see? Yes! But it becomes the motive of your heart. We need to incline our heart to Jesus. We need to question our motives!How sincere are you? We are getting ready to smear ash on our foreheads, As part of an ancient ancient ceremony.

Scripture was affective 2000 years ago and it’s affective or us this evening. Some of us had Ash Wednesday service this morning either virtual or independently and we’ve already received our ash cross, but what is your motivefor wearing the cross? Some of you in my presence, or participating for the very first time oh, and I commend you! We are growing closer to God. But I also ask you, because the scripture asked us, to examine our own heart for participating in Ash Wednesday.

So, as you can see, the scripture is for just us tonight. I love how God‘s Word is a living word. The celebration of Ash Wednesday has roots in Judaism. I would like to focus on some more Scriptures.

First, Let’s consider the book of Genesis, chapter 3 verse 19, here it says that you are dust and you will return to dust. This was after the fall of Adam and it’s important, because Adam and Eve were in mortal. Now, because of sin, they lost their immortality and will die for return to dust.

Next, I want to draw your attention to the following verse: Job 42:6 (New International Version) “6 Therefore I despise myself(A)
and repent(B) in dust and ashes”. Here, we see the heart of the matter. We can determine from Job that the words dust and ashes also means repentance. Job stands before the Lord and states: “ there is no good in me, I have sinned, and I shall return to the dust of the ground.” Job, Like us, during the season of Lent are realizing that our Sin has caused humankind to die and return to dust and Ash.

Repentance is the second level two the words: dust and ash. The fourth person I’d like to point out to you is the following: Daniel 9:3 “And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:” in this verse, Danielle is fasting, praying, and giving penance for his people. He did this and sackcloth and ashes, because in his culture when they were getting ready to intercede with this much focus it was required. Sackcloth was a cloth that they wore that would be scratchy and itching which would cause supplication; WHILE, fasting meant that they were not eating and this would also cause suffering. Finally, Daniel covered himself in ashes to an outward expression of their mortality and repentance.

All three of these situations were common practice in Judaism when participating in fasting and repentance.

Perhaps Queen Esther is one of my favorite verses for sackcloth and ashes. Remember, in chapter 14 she was married to the pagan king and he was going to kill all of the Jews. She enters into an intense practice of fasting and prayer; then, she asks her people to do the same.

Esther 14:1-3 (KJVA)

1. 1 Queen Esther also, being in fear of death, resorted unto the Lord:
2. 2 And laid away her glorious apparel, and put on the garments of anguish and mourning: and instead of precious ointments, she covered her head with ashes and dung, and she humbled her body greatly, and all the places of her joy she filled with her torn hair.
3. 3 And she prayed unto the Lord God of Israel, saying, O my Lord, thou only art our King: help me, desolate woman, which have no helper but thee:

Even as beautiful as queen Esther was, she took off all of her beautiful garments and perfume and showed her humility by putting on sackcloth, dung, and ashes. This is radical behavior from a queen. And today lacing the ash shaped cross one hour for ahead is also radical. We do it to show others there is a better way. We do it also, for the salvation of the world.

Hooding ashes on our forehead does at least the following three things: 

1. It allows us to remember our in mortality like Adam in Genesis 3:19

2. Like Job, putting ash on our fore head, symbolizes repentance.

3. We are also interceding on the behalf of others like Daniel in chapter 9 and queen Esther in chapter 14.

Now, I want give you the scripture that brings it home for this new church age. It is found in The following scripture: Matthew 4:21 and it says the following: “21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida!(A) For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon,(B) they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.(C)

So, even Jesus had an understanding about this outward expression of what takes place on the inside with repentance. Therefore, when the church participates in AshWednesday it is a biblical practice. It is the practice of repentance, intercession for the benefit of others, and fasting. We are drawling closer to God by denying our self pleasures of this world.

In addition, in those verses, there are several other scriptures, people would cover themselves with ashes or sit in ashes. This was done, because they had reached a low point in their life or they had reached a turning point in their life. Often times, God would send a profit to them and reveal that they could not live their lives this way anymore. For me, the Lent season helps me To live a more holy life. Let me explain it in a couple of ways…

First, it’s Just like with the spring season, everything died out in winter and is becoming a new in spring. Lent gives us an opportunity to visually see a representation of what’s going on in our souls.

Secondly, the season of Lent gives us the opportunity to reset our heart and incline it to Jesus. We confess our sin and shortcomings to God, we die out to sin, And start with a fresh new relationship with Christ.

Thirdly, this season of lent helps us to realize that we are human and are imperfect. The Holy Spirit lives inside of us; therefore, he reveals our sin to us. The Holy Spirit does not reveal our sin to us, in order to, shamus, but he does this so that we can restore our relationship with Christ and put the sin to death. The ashes represent our death to sin and our resurrection to new life.

So, I’ll give you a moment, to reflect on the scriptures. It’s also your decision how long you wear your ashes. So, fill in the blank why am I participating in Ash Wednesday?_______________

Well, let’s continue our service in full surrender to Christ, not boasting, but in worship of The one true God. Being thankful that he sent his son into the world, not to condemn the world, but to buy us back to himself. Let’s worship and give true Thanksgivings for all that he has done.

What is all of the talk of rewards? Well, I would rather be rewarded in heaven then I would be rewarded here, because rewards here are tangible and will burn up. However, rewards that we lay up in heaven our eternal. In today’s celebration, we went to concentrate on our relationship with the Lord. We want to delight in and bask in his presence. May this be a intimate time with God and not one that draws attention to ourselves. The goal is to grow closer to God and to be more like Jesus. Our goal should not been to be seen and heard of then. When we pray we should not be he concerned about his listening but rather God hearing us.

Why don’t you take time now to sing the following song with me: “Thou Art Worthy!”

Thou Art Worthy
Lyrics
Adapted from Revelation 4:11
Music by Ronn Huff and Pauline Mills Arranged by Tom Fettke and Ronn Huff
Worthy! Worthy! Worthy! Worthy!
Thou art worthy Lord. Thou art worthy, Thou art worthy.
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor. Glory and honor and power forever, and ever, and ever.
Thou art worthy, Thou art worthy, O Lord, To receive glory, glory and honor,
Glory and honor and power.
For Thou hast created, hast all things created; Thou hast created all things.
And for Thy pleasure,
They are created;
Thou art worthy, O Lord.
For Thou hast created, hast all things created; Thou hast created all things.
And for Thy pleasure, they are created;
Thou art worthy, O Lord.
Worthy! Worthy! Worthy! Worthy!
Thou art worthy Lord. Thou are worthy, O Lord, Thou art worthy.
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor. Glory and honor and power, forever.
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor. Glory and honor and power forever, and ever. Amen, Amen, Amen, Amen, Amen, Amen, Amen.
© 1975, this arr. © 2009 Joysong Music (admin. by MCS) and Fred Bock Music

Now, some people put the ash on there for head; while, others put the cross ash symbol on there hand. The mark on the forehead and a mark on her hand should be A sign to the world that we belong to Jesus Christ and not that we are religious or devout Christians. We use the ash cross to spread the gospel. When God allows, others to question us, we can tell them that it is all about Jesus. We can express to them plan of salvation. When the opportunity arises, we can tell them about the grace of God and how we belong to him. And continue in the work of Our high priest-Jesus Christ.

Notice, that we are not dumping a bowl of ashes over our head, nor are we sitting in the ashes, nor are we wearing the ashes all over us, but we are wearing a specific shape and placing it in a certain location.

What does the sign of the cross mean?

First, the ash cross is a sign of ownership. Jesus Christ has ownership of each one of us. Realizing, that we are in adequate. Realizing that we have not lived our lives as we should and that we have to choose Daily not to sin, but because of Jesus Christ we are worthy. Because of Jesus Christ we are saved. I’m thankful, that even in my brokenness that Jesus Christ claims us today. Perhaps, this is the ash part as well as the meaning of the shape of the cross.

Secondly, The ash cross represents who Jesus Christ is and why he came. It represents the fact that Jesus was born a virgin, was crucified, and the arose on the third day; so, that you and I could go free. It represents our ticket to heaven.

Fourthly it’s a sign of sacrifice and reconciliation.

5th, it’s not a sign of how proud we are, but of how humble we are as a people.

6. The ash cross shows others where our treasure lies.

Next, before we take this Mark of our salvation and Savior – let’s take some time to share with others what Christ has done for you. Yes, it’s testimony time!

Next, I would like to sing the song: “Have Thy Own Way Lord.

Have Thine own way Lord
Have Thine own way
Thou art the potter I am the clay
Mold me and make me after Thy will
While I am waiting yielded and stillHave Thine own way Lord
Have Thine own way
Search me and try me Master today
Whiter than snow Lord wash me just now
As in Thy presence humbly I bowHave Thine own way Lord
Have Thine own way
Hold over my being absolute sway
Filled with Thy spirit till all can see
Christ only always living in me.

After the singing we are getting into groups of three. Each one of you were given a number. If you have number one get them Pastor J’s line, if you have a number to get in Pastor Bonnie’s line. If you have three get in Pastor Larry’s line.

Each Pastor has a box of ash and Q-tips, because of Covid rules. They will bless you with the Mark of the cross and say the following over you:

Genesis 3:19 remember you were dust and dust you shall return.
Mark 1:15 Or repent and believe the gospel.

Then you will return to your seat and have time for praying and reflection.

Lastly, we will sing: “Lord I want to be a Christian.”

Remember, when someone asks you “why do we have dirt on our face? Or sarcastically, asks us do we think we’re more wholly than thou?” We promptly respond with the following: “ I wear this Ash, because it represents that I am a sinner and God is still working on me. And the cross shape means that Jesus loves us so much, that he gave his life, so that we can go free, And that we can and will make heaven our home. -Through Jesus Christ we are reconciled to God.