Return to the LORD with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments. (Joel 2)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. God's anger burns hot against sin. God’s wrath against sinners. Lust. Lies. Gossip. Hate. Arrogance. Pride. God's Law is preached against sin. For the wages of sin is death. (Romans 6)
Repent of your sin. The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel. (Mark 1)
God in His mercy sends you His Word. The Word of God that justifies sinners.
The bible teaches that there is a difference between regret and godly grief. For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. (2 Corinthians 7)
The Law exposes our sin. Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love...blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight. (Psalm 51)
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1)
God in His mercy sends you Jesus. Christ is your substitute. Christ stands in your place under the wrath of God to take the punishment due you.
God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. We have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. (Romans 5)
Lent has arrived. Lent is a 40 day journey to the Cross and Empty tomb of our Lord, highlighting Christ’s work to save sinners. Jesus’ Passion. What to do these 40 days? Hear the Word of the Lord. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. (Psalm 51) The Word of God gifts repentance. The Word is at work on your heart.
After hearing God’s Word preached we sing the Offertory. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. (Psalm 51)
Happy hearing the Word of the Lord. The Word that justifies you. Happy Repenting of your sins. Happy believing the Gospel. Blessed Lent. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Blow the trumpet in Zion; consecrate a fast; call a solemn assembly; gather the people. Consecrate the congregation; assemble the elders; gather the children, even nursing infants. (Joel 2)