WHAT IS LENT?

What is Lent?  Lent – “Lengthen,” Spring, 40 days before Easter = Christ’s 40 days in the wildnerness (Matthew 4)  “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”

Luke 18:9-14

What is Lent? There’s everything wrong with me.

“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Neither one deserved to be forgiven by God. God forgives people purely out of his mercy.

What is Lent? I. An attitude of Humility God chooses to forgive only those who humble themselves before him.

Start with an Attitude. “God, there’s everything wrong with me. Help me.” HUMILITY

What is Lent? II.THE LENTEN SEASON IS THE TIME OF PREPARATION & SELF-EXAMINATION Galatians 6:3-5 - For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For each one shall bear his own load.

2 Corinthians 13:5-6 Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test your-selves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?; unless in-deed you are disqualified. 6 But I trust that you will know that we are not disqualified. (2 Corinthians 13:5-6)

What is Lent? III. THE LENTEN SEASON IS THE TIME FOR PENITENCE AND DISCIPLINE Hebrews 12:1-3 - “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.”

What is Lent? IV. THE LENTEN SEASON IS THE TIME FOR SPECIAL PRAYER

2 Chronicles 7:14 If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

What is Lent? V. THE LENTEN SEASON CAN BE A TIME OF SPIRITUAL RENEWAL AND GROWTH Luke 9:23 - Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.

Surrender & Self-Sacrifice  What does it mean to “Surrender”?  Surrender (Root)  Sacrifice (Fruit)  What does it mean to “take up” our “own cross” to follow Jesus?

VI. THE LENTEN SEASON IS THE TIME TO SHARE WITH OTHERS THE HOPE FOUND IN A RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS CHRIST Colossians 1:27 - To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Spiritual Partners

What is Lent? I. AN ATTITUDE OF HUMILITY II. TIME OF PREPARATION AND SELF-EXAMINATION III. TIME FOR PENITENCE AND DISCIPLINE IV. TIME FOR SPECIAL PRAYER V. TIME OF SPIRITUAL RENEWAL AND GROWTH VI. TIME TO SHARE WITH OTHERS THE HOPE FOUND IN A RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS CHRIST