| Our Windows of Questions Our Book of Knowledge! |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Lent for what reason?? So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. (Hebrews 9:28) (By: Pastor L.R. Simas, Sr.) 4-20-07 |
religious system) , time is taken to remember sins and try to live a
parallel to Jesus' time in the wilderness is observed by sacrificing
or more commonly giving up something for the forty day period.
The ritual is begun by having ashes placed on the forehead and
the words (either in English or Latin) spoken "Dust you are, dust
you return” While it doesn't matter to me personally, I see
nowhere in the New Testament where Jesus called anyone to
either put ashes on our heads or to parallel His tormenting
journey of forty days and nights in the wilderness.
In Colossians 2:8 Paul warns us to beware and cautious of
things in and of this world, “Beware lest any man spoil you
through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men,
after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ". After
reading this how can one continue to follow after man's rules
instead of God's??
In the verse above (Hebrews 9:28) Again we are told that Jesus
went through all He did and may I say once! Never to be
repeated again. Ask yourself what purpose would it serve??
Answer, none!! So also is the yearly repetitiousness of ashes or
paralleling that time of Jesus' torment in the wilderness.
There is a place in Scripture where Jesus Himself says twice:" in
remembrance of me". This is so important that we need to see the
part in the Bible I'm referring to: I Corinthians 11:24 And when
he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my
body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25
After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped,
saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as
oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
Now please notice two things. One, He was not dead!! Two,
Jesus is speaking!! Jesus is expressly telling His disciples (and us)
what to do, how to do it, and what it means. I urge you to
investigate this and see for yourselves what Jesus has said. Then
to do as instructed of Him and follow not after things of this
world, or the rudiments or traditions of man.
Lastly, let me show you the verse or verses that speak of Jesus’
call to the wilderness and why it had to be done, and done once.
Matthew 4:1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the
wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
Again, may I say that Jesus was lead by the Spirit! What
spirit?? The Spirit of God (remember that God is one in three and
three in one). Next: for what reason? To offer or sacrifice or to
give-up something for a period of forty days? No, not at all! To
be tempted and thus such temptation was not able to subdue
Him!! See folks Jesus, our Lord, and Saviour was being tempted
by the adversary, Satan, the Devil! This proved that Jesus was
the Son of God!!
And so the Lent season is for what reason??
According to the following article:
"Ash Wednesday is the gateway to Lent. We have forty precious
days to open ourselves up most particularly to God, to examine
ourselves in the presence of one who created us, knows us, and
loves us. We have forty days to face ourselves and learn to not be
afraid of our sinfulness. We are dust, and to dust we shall
return, but with God’s grace we can learn to live this life more
fully, embracing our sinfulness, allowing God to transform us."
The Rev. Margaret Jones Calvary Episcopal Church Memphis,
Tennessee
Let me say just a few things in closing. First, how can this
(although good lady, I'm sure) person be a Reverend?? The Bible
says " husband of one wife ". Second, God's word provides for
forgiveness of sin. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just
to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness
(I John 1:9). Third, Paul says to be absent from the body is to be
present with the Lord. Forth, shouldn't we be in prayer and
confession everyday?? Jesus paid it all and did it once!!
Why do we need to do what was never commanded by Jesus
again and again?? May I offer a suggestion?? Get saved, become
a child of God, and stop doing what the world says and its
ways!! This will lead you to more then just dust! It will lead you
to hell, forever!!
May you be convinced and seek Jesus. Take hold of the gift of
Salvation that is given freely by Him and only Him. Jesus died
for you, will you live for Him?? Please feel free to e-mail or write
at the address below. With love in Christ, I am His servant and
yours,
Pastor Popeye
pastorsimas@hyannisbaptistchurch.org
Or write snail mail at:
Hyannis Baptist Church
Po Box 34
West Hyannisport, Ma.
02672-0034
Psalms 12:6-7 and Ephesians 3:8
Join us now on the web!!
www.hyannisbaptistchurch.org
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |