Downtown Cornerstone Blog
Feb 10
2016

Lent: Honoring Christ, Reflecting the Gospel, and Deepening Our Worship

, Teaching | by Pastor Randy Lundy

Today marks the beginning of the Lent season with the celebration of Ash Wednesday. Many of us who grew up in unchurched backgrounds or American evangelical backgrounds have not observed this tradition in the past. So naturally, some questions can arise around this time of year as to what Lent is, how it is observed, whether it is something that Christians should observe or reject, or if there are some aspects of the season that are worthy of observance?

What is Lent?

Traditionally observed, Lent is a forty-day period of fasting and reflection in preparation for Easter. As early as the 4th century A.D., Christian churches marked these weeks as a time of intentional discipleship, devotion, and anticipation. The resurrection of Christ served as the climax of the season. In that sense, it could be said that Lent is to Easter, what Advent is to Christmas — a season of expectation and thoughtful preparation focused around the person and work of Christ in redemption.

Over the centuries (particularly during the Middle Ages) the observance of Lent has sometimes drifted toward superstition and works-based righteousness. We would agree with the 16th century reformers who rightly rejected these excesses in so far as they were distortions of the gospel — arguing emphatically that there is nothing that can be added to our righteousness in Christ. The gospel tells us that we are made right with God in Christ through faith, plus NOTHING. And in that sense, we must be careful to not ascribe an elevated “spirituality” or seek to curate God’s favor through our performance or personal sacrifices. Rather Lent is an opportunity to tangibly reflect on the gospel in fresh ways, through means of grace like fasting and meditation. It’s as we set aside good things like food or media for a season, that we remind ourselves that Jesus is the truest and fullest satisfaction of our souls.

Although I don’t have the time to unpack a full theology of Lent and it’s various elements here, I do want to provide some helpful resources (listed at the bottom of the post) that have been of help to me in properly understanding how we might observe this season in a way that honors Christ, highlights the gospel, and deepens our worship.

How Do We Observe Lent?

As a church, we have celebrated Lent in a few ways over the years. Certainly as individuals, there are many in our church who leverage this season personally for their own discipleship. Collectively, we’ve walked through a special sermon series before (i.e. Lamentations) and incorporated special elements into our gatherings. Here are some of the ways we’re planning to observe Lent corporately this year:

  • We’ll begin talking, praying, and planning toward Good Friday and Easter together with growing expectation.
  • We’ll be preparing for baptisms on Easter morning! Baptisms were one of the first impetus’ for the observance of Lent, reminding us of our union with Christ in his death and resurrection. If you are interested in being baptized, you can let us know and find more information HERE.
  • We’ll pause more regularly for corporate confession together in our gatherings.
  • We’ll sing songs specifically focusing our thoughts and worship on the cross/resurrection of Christ.
  • We’ll continue to dig into Paul’s letter to the Galatians together each week, and consider the profound ways that the gospel frees us to genuine repentance and devotion to God, not for grace but from the grace we’ve already received through Jesus.

I’d invite you all to join us in intentionally using this season to 1) focus your worship, 2) tangibly remind yourself that Jesus is the ultimate treasure and comfort, 3) create space for Spirit-filled reflection and repentance, and 4) look with anticipation to the once-and-for-all sacrifice of Jesus that we will celebrate on Good Friday and Easter. We have been reconciled to God by grace through faith in Christ, now and forever. That’s good news worthy of reflection.

For Christ and the gospel,
Randy

Additional Resources

 

Jan 8
2016

REST House Drive Recap

Advent Drive, City Life, Service

REST_Drive_1115_620x130_NRC

“But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.” -Romans 6:22

Hundreds of women are sold for sex in this city every night. In spite of the devastating statistics, we cling tight to the great love and abundance of grace we have from God in Jesus Christ – and we fight back with hope secure in His freedom. This Advent season, we made a huge impact for REST: Real Escape from the Sex Trade by outfitting their REST House, a restorative, short-term housing option for young women transitioning out of the sex trade.

By God’s grace and through the outpouring of your generosity, we were able to equip the House not only with scores of necessary items but also with many comforting treasures that will go a long way in blessing women as they transition to freedom and restoration.

In addition to the significant gift of a much-needed storage shed, we provided the following items that will help provide a safe, welcoming space for these young women to find real and lasting rest:

  • Household items: dining room table, lamps, bedspreads, mousepads, bedsheets, curtains, pillows, office supplies, cleaning supplies
  • Kitchenwares: KitchenAid mixer and attachments, blender, cookbooks, dish towels, oven mitts, serving bowls, kitchen tools, water pitcher, serving platters, aprons, baking tools, paper products
  • Personal Care items: shampoo and conditioner, bathroom caddies, feminine hygiene products, hair dryers, soap, beauty items, books

Melody, the Residential Program Manager who heads the REST House team, passed along her thanks: “The generosity of your church family has overwhelmed me… REST and especially the REST House team are so grateful for your care and generosity.”

Downtown Cornerstone strives to display Christ’s light and life in the avenues and the alleyways of Seattle. By God’s grace, we did so this Advent season by donating generously and joyfully to the REST House Drive!

Get Involved

The Wish List we used throughout the drive will remain active and updated, so you can continue to give. You can also find out more about the work REST does and how to get involved on their website: iwantrest.com.

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. – Galatians 5:13

Christ is all,
Jennifer Keogh