“What If It’s True?”

Luke 24

On Easter Sunday, your Instagram feed is going to be full of family photos in front of church backdrops that say, “He is Risen!”

We’ve almost grown numb to that phrase.

He is risen.

Who is the He?

Why does that matter?

Why do Christians build their entire faith around one empty tomb?

The Christian faith does not hinge on Jesus being a good teacher.

It does not hinge on loving your neighbor.

It does not hinge on inspirational sermons.

It hinges on the resurrection.

If Jesus did not rise from the dead, Christianity collapses.

If He did…everything changes.

But let’s be honest.

You’re telling me someone who was dead came back to life?

That feels impossible.

Dead is dead…right?

That’s exactly why Easter matters.

Luke 24 tells us the women went to the tomb early in the morning. They weren’t expecting a miracle. They were bringing spices. They were expecting a body.

Instead, they found the stone rolled away.

Two angels asked them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead?”

That question still stands.

Why do we search for life in places that cannot hold it?

Now let’s talk history.

Jesus wasn’t buried in an anonymous ditch.

He was buried in a known tomb belonging to Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council. Matthew 27 records that the tomb was sealed with a large stone. The location was public. Witnesses saw it.

Three days later, it was empty.

And not in a vague, “someone said so” way.

1 Corinthians 15 tells us Jesus appeared to more than 500 people after His resurrection. Not one or two grieving followers. Hundreds.

Hallucinations don’t happen to groups.

Stories don’t spread that fast when eyewitnesses are still alive to contradict them.

And here’s something fascinating: the first witnesses were women. In that culture, women’s testimony wasn’t even considered legally reliable. If you were inventing a resurrection story, you would not make women the primary witnesses.

Unless that’s what actually happened.

And then there’s the disciples.

On Friday, they were hiding.

On Sunday and beyond, they were boldly proclaiming, “Jesus is Lord,” even when it cost them imprisonment, beatings, and death.

People will die for something they believe is true.

They will not willingly die for something they know is a lie.

Something happened.

Something so powerful that it reshaped history.

The Sabbath shifted from Saturday to Sunday because believers gathered to celebrate the resurrection.

The sacrificial system ended because Jesus was understood to be the final sacrifice.

Worship changed.

Traditions changed.

Lives changed.

So let’s ask the real question:

What if it’s true?

If Jesus really walked out of that tomb…then He is who He said He was. Then the cross wasn’t a tragic accident. It was a rescue mission. Then sin was actually paid for. Then death does not get the last word.

If it’s true, eternity is real. If it’s true, Jesus is not just a teacher to admire. He is a King to follow. If it’s true, we don’t get to reduce Him to inspirational quotes and Easter brunch.

We have to wrestle with Him.

Because if He rose, then He conquered death.

And if He conquered death, then death doesn’t get to define your story either.

That changes how we view cancer.

It changes how we view funerals.

It changes how we view fear.

It changes how we view Saturday silence.

If it’s true, God keeps His promises.

If it’s true, the grave is not permanent.

If it’s true, your guilt does not have the final word.

And yes…if it’s true, one day Jesus will return.

Scripture is clear that there will be a day when every knee bows and every tongue confesses that He is Lord.

Eternity hinges not on how impressive your life looked but on where you placed your trust.

That’s not meant to scare you.

It’s meant to invite you.

If you’ve already believed, if you’ve trusted Christ, then you don’t have to fear death. You don’t have to wonder if God will follow through. You stand in grace. You live with resurrection hope.

This life is not the end of your story.

But if you haven’t believed, what is stopping you?

Is it doubt?

Is it fear of what would change?

Is it questions you haven’t wrestled through yet?

God is patient. He is not rushing you.

But there will come a day when time runs out, whether through death or Christ’s return.

And at that moment, what will matter most is this: Did you trust Him?

Easter is not just about pastel dresses and brunch reservations.

It is about a stone rolled away.

It is about a tomb that could not hold Him.

It is about a Savior who defeated death.

So what if it’s true?

If it is, everything changes.

And if it is, the invitation is open.

He is risen.

And that changes everything.

If you're curious about Jesus…if you're still asking questions…or if you're ready to take a step of faith, we’d love to walk with you.

At Onward Community Church, we’re a group of ordinary people learning how to enjoy and obey Jesus together. Whether you’ve followed Him for years or you’re just beginning to explore faith, there’s a place for you here.

If you’re in Frisco, Prosper, Celina, McKinney, Plano, or Little Elm, we would love for you to join us this Sunday.

Come as you are.
Bring your questions.
We’d love to meet you.