When Everything Depends on One Question

Christianity rises or falls on a single claim.

Not a teaching, Not a value system, Not a moral philosophy… BUT ONE EVENT.

If Jesus rose from the dead — everything changes; If He didn’t — none of this matters.

Easter is not about springtime optimism… Easter is about a HISTORICAL INTERRUPTION that rewrote reality.

John doesn’t begin his recollection of Easter morning with celebration… He begins with grief.

THE SCENE: Hope Buried

John 20 tells us Mary Magdalene goes to the tomb while it is still dark.

She’s not expecting resurrection… She’s expecting to grieve.

The stone is rolled away — and her first conclusion isn’t hope… It’s loss.

She runs to tell the disciples: “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb…”

Even the closest followers of Jesus were not expecting Resurrection.

Resurrection was not even wishful thinking — BUT it was a shocking reality.

THE EMPTY TOMB: Evidence Before Explanation

Peter and John run to the tomb. They don’t find chaos… They find order.

The face cloth, which had been on Jesus head, folded up in a place by itself. The tomb is empty. And Death undone.

John wants us to know, beyond the shadow of a doubt: “He saw and believed.”

Not because he understood everything — but because the evidence demanded a response.

Our Christian faith is not blind belief… Our Christ-centered faith is BELIEF THAT IS ROOTED IN REALITY.

THE ENCOUNTER: Jesus Calls Her Name

Mary stays behind, weeping. She sees Jesus — and doesn’t recognize Him.

Grief has a way of blurring our vision.

Then Jesus says one word: “Mary.” …And everything changes.

The risen Jesus is not a distant idea — He is a personal Savior.

[RESURRECTION IS THE GREATEST MIRACLE…] because throughout this series, we’ve seen Jesus:

turn water into wine; heal a dying child; restore a paralyzed man; multiply bread; walk on water; give sight to the blind and call Lazarus from the grave… But Easter is different.

Every other miracle we have looked at delays death, But this miracle DEFEATS DEATH.

The resurrection is not just something Jesus did. The resurrection is WHO JESUS IS.

RESURRECTION CHANGES…

1. HOW WE SEE DEATH

Death is no longer the end — it’s a defeated enemy.

Jesus didn’t escape death — JESUS CONQUERED DEATH.

2. HOW WE SEE SUFFERING

Pain is no longer pointless.

The cross looked like failure — until Resurrection Sunday came.

God does His greatest work in places that look the most hopeless.

3. HOW WE LIVE TODAY

The resurrection is not just future hope — The RESURRECTION IS PRESENT POWER.

THE SAME POWER that raised Jesus now lives in those who trust Him.

HOW THE RESURRECTION STRENGTHENS OUR DAILY FAITH

1. WE ARE NEVER TOO FAR GONE

The tomb was sealed… The stone was heavy… The situation looked final.

And God still moved!

There is no sin, failure, or loss this beyond the reach of resurrection power.

2. GOD IS STILL WORKING IN THE DARK

Mary arrived while it was still dark — but the miracle had already happened.

Just because you can’t see it yet doesn’t mean God isn’t at work.

3. RESURRECTION POWER IS MEANT TO BE SHARED

The first command of the risen Jesus is simple: “Go and tell.”

Resurrection doesn’t end in amazement — it is launch of a life-changing mission.

CONNECTING THE ENTIRE SERIES

Every miracle in John pointed to this truth, the man Jesus is exactly who He says He is… Jesus is the Son of God!

The miracle of Water into wine → Jesus brings New life

The miracles of Healing → Jesus brings Restoration

The miracle of Provision → Jesus is MORE THAN ENOUGH

The miracle of Lazarus being raised of the dead → It is the Preview of the Life Giving, Death Defeating work that Jesus will do in the lives of people who He loves greatly

Easter / Resurrection Sunday is the miracle that explains them all.

CONCLUSION:

Resurrection Changes Everything… Because Jesus is risen:

FORGIVENESS IS REAL

HOPE IS ALIVE

DEATH IS DEFEATED

YOUR STORY IS NOT OVER

The tomb is empty. Jesus is alive. And because He lives — everything changes.