Arson – The Ashes
Arson - "The Ashes"
Title: The Ashes — When Passion Meets Pain Scripture: Isaiah 61:3 Theme: Healing from burnout, church hurt, disappointment Big Idea: People aren’t apathetic — they’re ash-covered. Point 1: Name Your Ashes • Honesty opens the door to healing. • Quote: “You can’t heal what you hide.” Point 2: Build Altars Out of Your Ashes • God rebuilds with what burned. • Quote: “God can still build altars out of your ashes.” Point 3: Trade in Your Ashes • Strength comes after surrender. • Quote: “When you stop trying to look strong, God can finally make you strong.” Challenge: Ask God: “What are You trying to rebuild here?”
Sermon Description
Today’s message — “The Ashes: When Passion Meets Pain” — is for anyone who feels burned out, overlooked, exhausted, or carrying church hurt. You’re not faithless… you’re ash-covered. Isaiah 61:3 shows us that Jesus doesn’t wait for our lives to look fixed. He meets us in the ashes and rebuilds what the fire tried to destroy.
If you’re new to Christianity, here’s the hope: Jesus trades ashes for beauty, mourning for joy, and heaviness for praise. He rebuilds people from the inside out.
We end today with a powerful moment of surrender — exchanging our ashes for God’s oil of healing.
Bible References:
Isaiah 61:1–3; Luke 4:14–21; Psalm 34:18; Matthew 11:28
Small Group Discussion Questions
1. Where have you experienced burnout or disappointment that still impacts you today?
2. Why do you think so many people hide their “ashes” instead of bringing them into the light?
3. Have you ever seen God rebuild something in your life after it fell apart?
4. What’s one area where you need to surrender an expectation, pressure, or fear of looking weak?
5. What do you sense God trying to rebuild in you right now?
References: Isaiah 61:1–4; Luke 4:14–21; Psalm 34:18; 2 Corinthians 12:9
2 Deep Journal Questions
1. What “image of strength” have I been trying to hold together? Why?
2. What pain might God be inviting me to surrender so He can rebuild something new?