Although a season generally not mentioned among Baptists, it like Advent provides the individual with an opportunity to examine himself/herself in the light of Who God is. For Lent, we recognize our sinfulness and recognize the great love of God, Who gave Himself for us on the cross of Calvary.
For this Sunday, the scripture readings found in the Lectionary are:
(1) Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7 - Adam & Eve make that fateful choice that brings sin upon mankind.
(2) Psalm 32 - David's great cry of confession and recognition of God's blessing of forgiveness.
(3) Romans 5:12-19 - As death reigned through the offence of one man, so through the righteousness of One came justification of life.
(4) Matthew 4:1-11 - The temptation of Jesus by the devil.
How fitting as we begin this season of Lent that the celebration of love (St. Valentine's Day) follows by just a few days. We know from scripture that love is of God for God is Love. So, on this first Sunday of Lent, the choir sings "God Loves" by Phillip Langrave.
In the first stanza, we acknowledge God's love in sending His Son, Jesus and working His work of love through Him so that even I, though undeserving of His love, can know His love and be set free by it.
Then, in the second stanza, we sing of our need to love God in return for His great love and to show that love in all of our life: "in what I think, in what I do, in how I live."
And finally, there is a world that needs to know of this great love. How awesome that God would use the time and talents that He has given us in such a way that our very lifes should bear witness to those who are lost in sin and that His love through us can show that He cares for them. Yes, God loves!
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So, we come at last to the Lenten Theme for First Baptist Church, Jefferson, Georgia: Take Up Thy Cross.
For this first Sunday of Lent the scripture reading is the passage that contains those very words: Matthew 16:24-27
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul.
For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
And in the sermon, we are challenged by the words of Jesus that he who would be great, must be a servant.
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How is God to use us as His servant, His conduit of love unless we deny ourself, take up our cross, and follow Him?
Blessings,
Richard
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