The Ash Account
Sermon
From Dusk To Dawn
Sermons For Lent And Easter
Lent is a season of reflection. It comes from an Old English
word meaning "a lengthening." As the days of spring become
longer, nature sings a song of renewed life, energy and growth.
The emerald tinted leaves, the gentle wafting breezes, the
richer blue azure of the sky all harmonize their beauty in
spring's eternal symphony of life.
During Lent we Christians are called upon to reflect together
on the final weeks of Christ's ministry. We remember his
betrayal, arrest and suffering upon the cross. Lent is a time for
us to reflect, as well, on our own discipleship. It examines with
the forensic skill of a pathologist our own motivations in
serving the Messiah. Like a deep sea fisherman plunging to the
coral reef below, we, too, plunge below the surface and examine
who we are and why we are here in God's world.
What motivates you in the Christian life? The Louisville
Courier-Journal ran a series of advertisements for a motivational
conference featuring nationally-known speakers. Good business
leaders recognize the importance of motivation in cementing a
business deal or enticing a customer to buy a product in these
inflationary times.
Motivation is essential to healthy living. A good marriage
flounders unless both partners are committed to remaining
faithful to and interested in one another. A successful
championship season is impossible unless coach and players are
fortified in the fray of competition by being highly motivated.
In the spiritual life our motivation is important if we are to
serve Jesus with energy, intelligence, imagination and love.
In our scripture text we see Jesus examining with care our
motives. He gazes into the hardened heart of the pharisaical
gremlin lurking in all our souls. His scalpel cuts to the bone of
the skeleton hypocrisy we keep well hidden in our soul's
cluttered closet. How often do we catch ourselves doing a good
deed with an ulterior motive, thinking such thoughts as, "If I
help the boss out by staying late, perhaps he will promote me and
not Mr. Smedley at the next desk." "If I tithe, perhaps I can buy
my way into heaven." Or, "If I cheat on my income tax I won't be
caught." Our self-deception can be a wonder to behold.
English poet George Herbert was a skilled amateur musician. He
played in an orchestra of like-minded amateurs. One afternoon he
was on his way to meet with his friends for music-making. On the
road he encountered a man whose cart had become stuck in a muddy
and watery ditch. Herbert stopped and helped the pedestrian. Due
to his good deed the poet arrived at his friend's house later
than expected. One of the musicians chortled, "Looks like you've
missed all the music." Herbert replied, "Yes, but I will have
songs at midnight." Herbert had the satisfaction of doing the
Christ-like thing. His motivation in helping another was pure and
loving.1
Peter Marshall, the famed Scottish preacher of a generation
ago, said in his sermon, "Under Sealed Orders," "... Faith is
belief plus what you do with that belief." We can't grow in faith
if our motives are as dirty as our old gardener's gloves we put
to use in the spring.2
Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday, is a season of hope. Lent
is furthermore a time to grow in God's graciously given faith. A
time to face facts and our hypocrisy. A time to repent
and seek to be more honest in our service to the Savior. A
compass can be used to draw circles or a straight line. If on Ash
Wednesday, we will look with care at our account, we will
conclude:
a. We have fallen short of our profession of faith by
hypocrisy, self-delusion and pride.
b. We have used people as things and things as people.
c. The Ash Account of repentance and new life in Christ gives
us hope as we examine our motives and renew our commitment to
selfless service in Christ's name.
Christ is our compass on the Lenten road which begins on Ash
Wednesday. With him as our guide we pick up our crosses and
follow him.
A friend told me she had read of the death of a beloved
pastor. My friend mused, "I cannot recall what he said in his
sermons as much as I can the Christ-like way he served his
congregation. Because of his guidance I am today a Christian."
Christ is our compass, our guide, our redeemer and our friend.
When we look at the Ash Account we see the bottom line in our
service to others, our forgiveness by Christ and our love to a
hurting world. As we journey through Lent together, we are
invited by God to let the invigorating breezes of Lent flood our
souls.
With James Russell Lowell, we examine our motivation in the
Christian life and seek to be more honest, loving and servant-
like.
"Give to the hungry sweet charity's bread,
For giving is living," the angel said.
"Must I be giving and giving again?"
the weary, wondering question came.
"No," said the angel, piercing me through,
"Just stop, when the Lord stops giving to you."
Have you examined your Ash Account?
1-Barclay, William, The Gospel of Matthew vol. 1, Westminster
Press, Philadelphia, 1958, p. 182.
2-Marshall, Peter, "Under Sealed Orders" sermon in 20 Centuries
of Great Preaching vol. XII, Waco, Texas, 1971, p. 40.
word meaning "a lengthening." As the days of spring become
longer, nature sings a song of renewed life, energy and growth.
The emerald tinted leaves, the gentle wafting breezes, the
richer blue azure of the sky all harmonize their beauty in
spring's eternal symphony of life.
During Lent we Christians are called upon to reflect together
on the final weeks of Christ's ministry. We remember his
betrayal, arrest and suffering upon the cross. Lent is a time for
us to reflect, as well, on our own discipleship. It examines with
the forensic skill of a pathologist our own motivations in
serving the Messiah. Like a deep sea fisherman plunging to the
coral reef below, we, too, plunge below the surface and examine
who we are and why we are here in God's world.
What motivates you in the Christian life? The Louisville
Courier-Journal ran a series of advertisements for a motivational
conference featuring nationally-known speakers. Good business
leaders recognize the importance of motivation in cementing a
business deal or enticing a customer to buy a product in these
inflationary times.
Motivation is essential to healthy living. A good marriage
flounders unless both partners are committed to remaining
faithful to and interested in one another. A successful
championship season is impossible unless coach and players are
fortified in the fray of competition by being highly motivated.
In the spiritual life our motivation is important if we are to
serve Jesus with energy, intelligence, imagination and love.
In our scripture text we see Jesus examining with care our
motives. He gazes into the hardened heart of the pharisaical
gremlin lurking in all our souls. His scalpel cuts to the bone of
the skeleton hypocrisy we keep well hidden in our soul's
cluttered closet. How often do we catch ourselves doing a good
deed with an ulterior motive, thinking such thoughts as, "If I
help the boss out by staying late, perhaps he will promote me and
not Mr. Smedley at the next desk." "If I tithe, perhaps I can buy
my way into heaven." Or, "If I cheat on my income tax I won't be
caught." Our self-deception can be a wonder to behold.
English poet George Herbert was a skilled amateur musician. He
played in an orchestra of like-minded amateurs. One afternoon he
was on his way to meet with his friends for music-making. On the
road he encountered a man whose cart had become stuck in a muddy
and watery ditch. Herbert stopped and helped the pedestrian. Due
to his good deed the poet arrived at his friend's house later
than expected. One of the musicians chortled, "Looks like you've
missed all the music." Herbert replied, "Yes, but I will have
songs at midnight." Herbert had the satisfaction of doing the
Christ-like thing. His motivation in helping another was pure and
loving.1
Peter Marshall, the famed Scottish preacher of a generation
ago, said in his sermon, "Under Sealed Orders," "... Faith is
belief plus what you do with that belief." We can't grow in faith
if our motives are as dirty as our old gardener's gloves we put
to use in the spring.2
Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday, is a season of hope. Lent
is furthermore a time to grow in God's graciously given faith. A
time to face facts and our hypocrisy. A time to repent
and seek to be more honest in our service to the Savior. A
compass can be used to draw circles or a straight line. If on Ash
Wednesday, we will look with care at our account, we will
conclude:
a. We have fallen short of our profession of faith by
hypocrisy, self-delusion and pride.
b. We have used people as things and things as people.
c. The Ash Account of repentance and new life in Christ gives
us hope as we examine our motives and renew our commitment to
selfless service in Christ's name.
Christ is our compass on the Lenten road which begins on Ash
Wednesday. With him as our guide we pick up our crosses and
follow him.
A friend told me she had read of the death of a beloved
pastor. My friend mused, "I cannot recall what he said in his
sermons as much as I can the Christ-like way he served his
congregation. Because of his guidance I am today a Christian."
Christ is our compass, our guide, our redeemer and our friend.
When we look at the Ash Account we see the bottom line in our
service to others, our forgiveness by Christ and our love to a
hurting world. As we journey through Lent together, we are
invited by God to let the invigorating breezes of Lent flood our
souls.
With James Russell Lowell, we examine our motivation in the
Christian life and seek to be more honest, loving and servant-
like.
"Give to the hungry sweet charity's bread,
For giving is living," the angel said.
"Must I be giving and giving again?"
the weary, wondering question came.
"No," said the angel, piercing me through,
"Just stop, when the Lord stops giving to you."
Have you examined your Ash Account?
1-Barclay, William, The Gospel of Matthew vol. 1, Westminster
Press, Philadelphia, 1958, p. 182.
2-Marshall, Peter, "Under Sealed Orders" sermon in 20 Centuries
of Great Preaching vol. XII, Waco, Texas, 1971, p. 40.
