What Scripture should we read during Lent?
There are many Bible verses and Scripture passages that are suitable for Lent.
- The Gospel of Matthew: chronologically covers Jesus’ life, passion, death, and resurrection in detail. The book of Matthew was written primarily for a Jewish audience (Matthew was Jewish), so they understood the importance of all of the religious practices of the day. Matthew helped them understand how Jesus was the fulfillment of the promises they had read and heard for hundreds of years.
- Isaiah chapter 58 speaks of mourning, fasting, and ashes. This passage influences the practice of fasting as well as the imposition (or application) of ashes on Ash Wednesday, which is the first day of Lent.
- Exodus 1:1-22 explain the distress and oppression the Israelites faced when they were in slavery in Egypt and how they needed a deliverer. Moses was what is called a “foreshadowing” of Christ – a person who demonstrated similar actions that would be completely fulfilled in the Messiah: deliverance, forgiveness, and rescue.
- Exodus 3:1-20 gives the account of Moses seeing the burning bush and having God speak to him. This is also when God reveals himself as “I AM”. This is important because this passage was the source of one of the charges leveled against Jesus at the crucifixion: that he could not be God because there was only one God (the God of Moses). They didn’t realize Jesus was the same God and that was one of the reasons they put him to death.
- John 8:51-59 is the passage where Jesus explains that He is God’s Son and is able to claim the same truth that God revealed to Moses in Exodus: I AM WHO I AM.
- The Gospel of Mark: As I mentioned earlier, Mark’s gospel covers Jesus’ earthly ministry as well as His suffering, death, and resurrection.
- Hebrews 9:26-28: These verses explain the truth that Jesus died once for all, and that He will come again to those who are waiting for Him. This is the hope we have as we approach Easter Sunday!
The Reformed Church In Kinnelon
We are a Church family celebrating our unity at Christ’s table by praising God’s name in worship and in prayer. Our Church is guided by the Holy Spirit, embracing God’s Grace, nurturing each other’s gift, supporting each other in Christian Love and reaching out to others in Christ’s name.
Grace (from the Greek New Testament word charis) is God’s unmerited favor. Furthermore, it is kindness from God that we don’t deserve. In addition, there is nothing we have done, nor can ever do to earn this favor. It is a gift from God to those in his church. Grace is divine assistance given to humans for their regeneration; a virtue coming from God; a state of sanctification enjoyed through divine favor.
Only through Jesus Christ we are offered grace which is a free gift. This is contrary to human nature, which in pride says I can do it myself. Our attitude is, my life is my own and I will do with it as I please. Jesus says “yes I gave you life and I gave you power to choose so it is your choice.” So we choose love and give our life to Jesus, and rest in Him, or we choose pride becoming God’s enemy, trying to work and climb up to heaven another way besides through Jesus. (John 14:6 NKJV) Jesus said “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
Together we celebrate the Good News
Live Well, Live Wisely
James 3:13-16 Do you want to be counted wise and to build a reputation for wisdom? Here’s what you do: Live well, live wisely, live humbly. It’s the way you live and not the way you talk, that counts. Mean-spirited ambition is not wisdom. Boasting that you are wise is not wisdom. Twisting the truth to make yourselves sound wise is not wisdom. It’s the furthest thing from wisdom. It’s animal cunning, devilish conniving. Whenever you’re trying to look better than others or get the better of others, things fall apart and everyone ends up at the other’s throats.
James 3:17-18 Real wisdom, God’s wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced. You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor.
The Reformed Church In Kinnelon
155 Kinnelon Road
Kinnelon, New Jersey 07405
Pastor………..Rev. Beverly Sullivant
Music Ministry……….Arlene Mierop
Organist……………….Katie Mallimo
Office Phone Number: 973-838-3113
Sunday Morning Worship: 10:00 A.M.
All Are Welcome
