In this Ash Wednesday message from our "Truth Bombs" series, we confront the one reality our culture works hardest to ignore: our own mortality. When we hear the words, "You are dust, and to dust you shall return," it isn't meant to terrify us, but to wake us up from the distractions and self-reliance we often use to keep death at arm's length.

Whether death feels far away or is sitting close by with a specific name or diagnosis, its approach reveals what we truly stand on. If we rely only on our own achievements and confidence, we find that those foundations begin to crumble as mortality marches closer. However, by looking at the cross, we see that while death is the result of sin, it is not the end of the story.

Key Highlights from the Sermon:
• The Euphemism of Death: How we "medicalize" and "distract ourselves" from mortality to avoid facing our finite nature.
• The Mirror of the Cross: How Jesus’ suffering reflects the gravity of our sin, yet simultaneously reveals a God who is willing to give His own life for ours.
• Repentance as Honesty: Discover why repentance isn't a state of despair or "managing appearances," but the beginning of true rest and honesty before a holy God.
• The Promise for the Dust: The hope that because God met our dust in the person of Jesus, He has promised that "dust will rise" into a future with no more sorrow or fear.

As we move from self-reliance to reliance on God, we find that the "sham is over". We don't have to hide our hearts from Him; instead, we move to where His mercy can reach us.