FAcing the cross

When the days drew near for him to leave this earth, Jesus “set his face” to Jerusalem to encounter the pain of the cross on our behalf (Luke 9:51). As we approach the season of Lent, we too will begin to set our faces towards Jerusalem. Have you ever set your face towards something? Perhaps a better way to put this phrase is to ask, “have you ever had to face something?” We typically use this phrase to refer to a great challenge. For example, I have to face (name of person who is a great challenge to you) or the ever popular, and slightly over used, challenge: “come out and face me like a man!” To set our face to something is to accept the challenge. Jerusalem was a major challenge for Jesus. A challenge that he will lose and it will cost him his life. But it is also a challenge that will ultimately prove a victory for the war against our sin with His resurrection.

As we face the cross during the Sundays of Lent, we accept our challenge to face certain aspects in our lives which are not always in line with the cross. We will come to terms with six challenges in our Lenten series as we look at them through the lens of the cross of Christ – who came to save us that we might see him face-to-face in heaven.

Ash Wednesday March 5th 

“Facing Our Sins” • Romans 3:23-24

We come to terms with our sinfulness and rejoice in Christ’s forgiveness.

Sunday March 9th 

“Facing Temptation” • Hebrews 4:14-15

We acknowledge that we give in to temptations at times, but rest on the power of Christ to resist the devil.

Sunday March 16th 

“Facing Our Fears” • Isaiah 41:10

Recognizing what strikes fear in our hearts helps us to grab on more tightly to Christ.

Sunday March 23rd 

“Facing Our Worldliness” • Matthew 6:19-21

Accepting we are often all too dependent on worldly goods opens the door to seeing the value of everlasting blessings.

Sunday March 30th 

“Facing One Another” • Ephesians 4:31-32

Confessing that we have not always treated each other in a Christlike manner helps to build better relationships.

Sunday April 6th 

“Facing Suffering” • Romans 8:18-19 

Enduring suffering in this world connects us to Christ and points us to the joy to come.

Following the Sunday worship services during Lent, Pastor will be leading an Adult Bible Study on the Facing the Cross series. Study guides are available for $5.