Today is Resurrection Sunday, or Easter Sunday. It is a day where Christians throughout the world celebrate. Many may not know the story behind Easter. They may get lost in the commercialism that has been associated with the holiday and think the celebration is more about bunnies, Cadbury Eggs and a delicious meal with family.
This may be due to the movement many have had away from organized religious practice. While our country was founded by very spiritual men, it has experienced a great shift in the way America expresses the Christian roots on which it was established. Why would there be such a drastic change in culture in such a short amount of time?
Perhaps it is in the telling of the story. The Gospel story. The story of Jesus Christ.
While many denominations of Christianity base their sermons and storytelling on the Bible, many deviate from the core message of grace. That was the message that God intended each person to hear and that is why He sent His son to die on the cross. Yet, that powerful message and story is often put in the background while messages of politics and religion come to the foreground.
The Gospel story of Jesus coming down from Heaven to live as a man, die for all of our sin and rise again in order to bring salvation for all that receive Him is central to Christianity. The story in and of itself promotes the goals and ideals of Christianity. It shows unconditional love, mercy and grace. It shows reverence for a powerful and loving God that cared so much He sacrificed His own son.
As a member of First Baptist Church of South Daytona, our church family stands for everything about this story. We hold to the truth that all men have sinned and not one is righteous. We believe together that Jesus is the only way to eternal salvation. We know that He came not to condemn anyone or to judge but to offer salvation, and in the same, we are only to spread His light throughout the world so others may come to know Him.
Do some in the "organization" of the church miss the message of the story? Sure. That is where there is a difference between religion and relationship. When we take the story of Jesus' life and make it a part of our own. When we develop a daily walk in His word and understand the meaning of His story, it is natural that our culture is positively influenced. However, if we were to wake up, get dressed, go to church to visit with one another, become critics of the music and sermon and then go home, that would be less about Jesus and more about being part of a group or club.
I am thankful to be part of an amazing church that shares the love of Jesus boldly and confidently. That shares the Gospel openly. A church that understands the story and tells others about it each and everyday.
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