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An "if-then" clause (conditional sentence) structure expresses that one event (the result) depends on another (the condition). 

“If... then” clauses are very common and some are famous... (and some omit the “then” since it is implied.):  

  • Field of Dreams (1989): "If you build it, (then) he will come." 
  • Wall Street (1987): "If you need a friend, (then) buy a dog." 
  • Gladiator (2000): "If we work together, (then) we survive. 

 

Then, there are some from childhood:  

  • "If you're happy and you know it, (then) clap your hands." 
  • "If the shoe fits, (then) wear it." 
  • "If you give a mouse a cookie, (then) he's going to ask for a glass of milk"  

 

But there is one that is life changing...  

 

And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. - 1 Corinthians 15:14 

 

If Christ has not been raised... that is something to really think about. What if Jesus was not raised from the dead? What if he died and that was it? There was nothing more?  

Then you would not be reading this newsletter, and I wouldn’t have written it. I wouldn’t be a follower of Jesus, and neither would you. There would be no Bridges Church or any Christian Church. Our world would be so completely different. There would be no hope, no sense of heaven, no New Testament, perhaps no United States, no Great Awakenings, no Renaissance (at least the way we know it), no Christianity, no one would know the golden rule because Jesus said it, and if He did not rise from the dead, then His followers wouldn’t have written it down or kept it or shared it. To them, Jesus would have been a failure, a never was, a deceitful and dangerous teacher who did not fulfill His greatest promise.  

There would be no forgiveness of sins. No atonement. No right relationship with God. No power for changed lives. No salvation.  

In short, everything we know would be different. And everything would be dark.  But... if Christ was raised from the dead, then our preaching is not in vain, and our faith is not vain. It is real and lasting and powerful.  

That is why we celebrate Easter... because He did rise from the dead, and His followers did see Him, over 500 of them, and they did start a movement that has shaped the entire world, and we can live today with hope, purpose and meaning secure in the knowledge that one day we too will rise with Him and there is a future for us beyond this life and all will be made right and we will see Him one day.  

Why? Because if He did rise, then everything is good!  

 And He did rise from the dead, and He did keep His promise, and He is alive, and He is sitting at the right hand of the Father, and He is who He said He is... and, well, that is everything.  

 Easter is the answer to one of the greatest “IF... THEN” clauses ever.  

 IF JESUS ROSE FROM THE DEAD, THEN SO SHALL WE ONE DAY!  

 That is the story of Easter. Jesus rose from the dead, and He made all things right.  

 

I am excited to celebrate Easter together this Sunday with that sense that not only is our faith not in vain but is filled with promise. He is risen! He is risen indeed.  

Maybe there is someone you can invite to join us this Sunday as we explore the power of the resurrection. Who do you know that needs to know Jesus?   

Be in prayer and if there is someone God is placing on your heart, be sure to invite them. We want to see more people find and follow Jesus and find salvation in Him.