Front and Center (8 of 8)
Series: Galatians: Free At Last
James Merritt
Galatians 6:14
Introduction
1. Some of the world's major religions have a visual symbol that illustrates the central feature of its beliefs. When you see that symbol you automatically know what faith is being promoted. Buddhism is symbolized by the lotus flower, [Jody - show photo of each symbol and place on screen] because the lotus flower has a lifecycle unlike any other flower. It is rooted in mud and every night it submerges into murky river water and then miraculously reblooms the next morning without any mud on its petals. The wheel shaped flower depicts the central belief of buddhism which is the cycle of birth, death, and reincarnation.
2. Judaism is symbolized by the star of David. This speaks of the covenant god made with David that one day the messiah would descend from him and become Israel's king and rule over the entire universe forever.
3. Islam is symbolized by a crescent. In ancient times, it was a symbol of sovereignty and power. But the most ubiquitous and universally recognized symbol of any faith is the symbol of Christianity which is just a simple cross. There is a big difference in this symbol and every other symbol of every other faith or ideology. The cross is not just a symbol of the Christian faith; it is the secret of the Christian life. Yet, it is probably the most misunderstood religion in the world. I say that for two reasons.
4. First of all, crosses are worn as pendants and necklaces by anybody and everybody-athletes, rock stars, somebodies , nobodies and anybody whether they are Christian or not. It is the symbol of just general goodwill and acceptance. It is seen as an ancient symbol that you can combine with just your own personal spirituality or with some other religion.
5. But the second reason is we know that don't understand the cross today is you can't find anybody who will really say anything against it. You may wonder, ''well, ...
Series: Galatians: Free At Last
James Merritt
Galatians 6:14
Introduction
1. Some of the world's major religions have a visual symbol that illustrates the central feature of its beliefs. When you see that symbol you automatically know what faith is being promoted. Buddhism is symbolized by the lotus flower, [Jody - show photo of each symbol and place on screen] because the lotus flower has a lifecycle unlike any other flower. It is rooted in mud and every night it submerges into murky river water and then miraculously reblooms the next morning without any mud on its petals. The wheel shaped flower depicts the central belief of buddhism which is the cycle of birth, death, and reincarnation.
2. Judaism is symbolized by the star of David. This speaks of the covenant god made with David that one day the messiah would descend from him and become Israel's king and rule over the entire universe forever.
3. Islam is symbolized by a crescent. In ancient times, it was a symbol of sovereignty and power. But the most ubiquitous and universally recognized symbol of any faith is the symbol of Christianity which is just a simple cross. There is a big difference in this symbol and every other symbol of every other faith or ideology. The cross is not just a symbol of the Christian faith; it is the secret of the Christian life. Yet, it is probably the most misunderstood religion in the world. I say that for two reasons.
4. First of all, crosses are worn as pendants and necklaces by anybody and everybody-athletes, rock stars, somebodies , nobodies and anybody whether they are Christian or not. It is the symbol of just general goodwill and acceptance. It is seen as an ancient symbol that you can combine with just your own personal spirituality or with some other religion.
5. But the second reason is we know that don't understand the cross today is you can't find anybody who will really say anything against it. You may wonder, ''well, ...
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