Embracing Community and Renewal in Lent

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Community in Lent

In the season of Lent, the power of community becomes evident as individuals come together to reflect and renew their faith. This time is not meant to be a solitary journey but a shared experience where the collective strength of a faith community helps each person draw closer to God. The Ash Wednesday service, with its symbolic gesture of touching elbows, highlights the unity and support found within the community. As members of a faith family, individuals are encouraged to lean on one another, finding encouragement and strength in shared beliefs and experiences. [16:41]

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

Reflection: Who in your faith community can you reach out to today to offer support or encouragement during this Lenten season?

Day 2: Jesus, Our Rescuer from Life's Riptides

The metaphor of being saved from a riptide serves as a powerful illustration of Jesus' role as Savior. Just as strangers intervened to save a life, Jesus steps into the lives of believers, rescuing them from the currents of sin and despair. This truth is not just a comforting thought but a reality that calls for trust in His power to save completely. Believers are reminded that Jesus is not a distant figure but an active presence, ready to intervene and offer salvation. [48:25]

Psalm 18:16-19 (ESV): "He sent from on high, he took me; he drew me out of many waters. He rescued me from my strong enemy and from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me. They confronted me in the day of my calamity, but the Lord was my support. He brought me out into a broad place; he rescued me, because he delighted in me."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt overwhelmed by life's challenges. How did you experience Jesus' rescuing presence during that time?

Day 3: Preparation and Testing in the Wilderness

The journey of Lent mirrors Jesus' own path of preparation and testing, beginning with His baptism and leading into the wilderness. These events are not just historical accounts but serve as a template for spiritual growth. As believers face their own trials, they are reminded that Jesus, too, faced challenges and emerged ready to proclaim the Kingdom of God. This assurance brings peace and strength, knowing that Jesus is present even in the midst of chaos. [01:14:41]

James 1:2-4 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

Reflection: What current trial are you facing that could be an opportunity for spiritual growth? How can you invite Jesus into this situation to guide and strengthen you?

Day 4: Repentance and Embracing Grace

Lent is a season that calls for repentance and belief in the good news. This involves turning away from sin and self-reliance to fully embrace Jesus' saving grace. Repentance is an act of letting go of burdens and sins that weigh individuals down, allowing them to grasp the hand of their Savior. This process leads to renewal and transformation, as believers trust in God's complete forgiveness and grace. [30:11]

Isaiah 55:6-7 (ESV): "Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon."

Reflection: What is one burden or sin you need to release today to fully embrace Jesus' grace? How can you take a step towards repentance and renewal?

Day 5: Living Out the Truth of Salvation

As believers journey through Lent, they are called to live out the truth that Jesus is their Savior. This involves sharing His love and grace with others, reflecting His light in a world that desperately needs it. Faith is not just a personal journey but a communal mission to spread God's love. By living out this truth, believers become conduits of grace, impacting the world around them with the message of salvation. [01:14:41]

Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV): "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

Reflection: How can you actively share Jesus' love and grace with someone in your life today? What practical steps can you take to be a light in your community?

Sermon Summary

In today's gathering, we embraced the beauty of community and the strength we draw from one another as we journey through the season of Lent. This time of reflection and renewal invites us to examine our hearts and draw closer to God, not in isolation, but together as a family of faith. The Ash Wednesday service was a poignant reminder of this unity, as we supported each other in our spiritual walk, symbolized by the gentle touch of elbows—a near embrace—as we received the ashes. This season is a call to deepen our relationship with God and each other, drawing strength from the collective faith and grace that binds us.

We are reminded of the profound truth that Jesus is our Savior. This is not just a title but a reality that impacts our lives deeply. Reflecting on a personal story from my youth, I shared an experience of being caught in a riptide, unable to save a dear friend. It was a moment of helplessness until two strangers intervened, saving her life. This story illustrates how Jesus steps into our lives, not as a distant figure, but as our ultimate Savior, rescuing us from the currents of sin and despair that threaten to pull us under.

The journey of Lent mirrors Jesus' own path of preparation and testing, beginning with His baptism and leading into the wilderness. These events are not mere historical accounts but serve as a template for our spiritual journey. They remind us that Jesus, too, faced trials and emerged ready to proclaim the Kingdom of God. As we navigate our own wilderness moments, we are assured that Jesus is with us, bringing peace and harmony even in chaos.

Repentance and belief are central to this season. We are called to let go of the burdens and sins that weigh us down, to turn away from self-reliance, and to grasp the saving grace of Jesus. This act of repentance is akin to releasing our grip on what holds us back so we can fully embrace the hand of our Savior. As we reflect on our lives, we are encouraged to identify and confess anything that separates us from God, trusting in His complete forgiveness.

As we continue through Lent, may we hold fast to the truth that Jesus is our Savior, the one who rescues, redeems, and renews us. Let us live out this truth, sharing His love and grace with a world in need.

Key Takeaways

1. reliance to fully embrace Jesus' saving grace. This act of letting go allows us to grasp the hand of our Savior, leading to renewal and transformation. [30:11]
5. Living Out Our Faith: As we journey through Lent, we are called to live out the truth that Jesus is our Savior. This involves sharing His love and grace with others, reflecting His light in a world that desperately needs it. Our faith is not just personal but a communal mission to spread God's love.

** [30:11]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[16:41] - Strength in Community
[30:11] - Gratitude and Service
[48:25] - Jesus as Our Savior
[74:41] - Repentance and Renewal
[74:41] - Closing Prayer and Hymn

Sermon Clips

"We are so glad that all of you are here today, especially today where our bodies, maybe it felt like we were a little more tired as we were getting ready this morning. And as Maddie and I were on our way here, I said, well, the stove clock is what our time would have been yesterday. But the Jeep clock changes automatically." [00:13:33] (30 seconds)

"And so church, we are now in the season of making adjustments. We are in this season of Lent, believe it or not. I was touched so deeply on Wednesday evening with our Ash Wednesday service. And if you don't mind, if I could just share this for a moment before we get into our service. And I stood right down here." [00:14:31] (27 seconds)

"And I was just deeply touched by the connection and the strength and knowing that we are serving God together and that we go into this season of Lent together, each one of us examining our own hearts, each one of us longing to draw closer and closer to God. Yes, we do that individually. But as was illustrated Wednesday night, we're really not doing that alone." [00:15:47] (31 seconds)

"Where you draw strength from me and I draw strength from you and we draw strength from one another. And so as we continue into this season of Lent, this is our first Sunday in the season of Lent. May we draw strength from one another. May we draw strength from knowing that God is with us." [00:16:21] (26 seconds)

"The season of Lent that we are being called upon to reflect upon this question, who do you say that I am, as if Jesus were asking each one of us. And so I want us to reflect on what really is the most important question that Jesus asked his disciples and then by extension Jesus is asking each of us when Jesus said, who do you say, who do you say, I am?" [00:49:23] (30 seconds)

"For many of us, the first answer that comes to mind is simple and yet it is incredibly profound because our answer is Jesus is our Savior. Savior. And when I think about that, when I think about what it means for Jesus to be my Savior, think about the word Savior." [00:49:43] (25 seconds)

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