"Keep the main thing the main thing." That's the mantra of many in corporate America. In essence it means don't get sidetracked from the business plan, or to do what's most important, and succeed.
For the church that saying is even more important. Keep what is most important in front of you and that is where we find not only success but also purpose.
1 Corinthians 15:3-6, "For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep."
The life, death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the main thing about the Christian faith. The Apostle Paul wrote that text to people who were confused about Jesus' Resurrection as well as the promise of resurrection for those who trust in him. How important is the Resurrection to the believer?
1 Corinthians 15:17-19, "... If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have died in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men."
Faith in Jesus Christ is what gives believers hope and takes them to eternal life. Still many in our day question the reality of Easter, the hope of the Resurrection. Yet that is not a new thing at all, even before Jesus died some of the religious leaders of Israel said there was no resurrection. The Sadducees only believed the books of Moses were inspired and they could not find the resurrection in them. So they challenged Jesus and using the writings of Moses he proved that the faithful who have died live eternally.
Matthew 22:31-32, "... Have you not read what God said to you, 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?' He is not the God of the dead but of the living."
Just as God lives so do all who have faith in him. Paul writes to the Corinthians that the main thing is that Jesus Christ died for our sins as was written in the Scriptures. Secondly, that he was buried.
Why is that important? Because that means he died for the purpose of forgiveness of sins. Finally, he rose on the third day, again saying that was according to the Old Testament writings.
The main thing about the Christian faith is not how to have your best life now, it's not about six steps in child raising and it's not about how to be healthy or wealthy. It's about Jesus Christ who died in place of others, so that through his death and Resurrection all who trust in him might have eternal life.
That is what Easter is all about, that is why we celebrate with joy, that is the hope all believers have. That is the main thing.
Happy Resurrection Sunday.
Pastor Rich Lammay of High Sierra Fellowship is a member of the Carson Valley Ministers' Association.
