The One Question That Matters Most
Death could not hold Jesus because Jesus had no sin to keep Him there. This simple truth separates Christianity from every other religion in the world. Think about it: Mohammed died and remains in his tomb. Buddha died and remains in his tomb. Confucius, the great philosopher, died and remains in his tomb. Religious leaders die, and they stay dead.
But Jesus walked out of the grave alive.
At Lakeview Christian Church of Portage Lakes, we don’t serve a dead prophet or follow ancient philosophy. We worship a risen Savior who conquered death and offers that same victory to everyone who believes.
More Than 500 Witnesses
Jesus didn’t just claim to be alive—He proved it. Over 500 people saw Him alive after His resurrection(1 Corinthians 15:6). He didn’t appear to one or two followers who might have been hallucinating. He appeared to crowds, ate meals, let people touch His scars, and spent 40 days teaching His disciples before ascending to heaven.
This wasn’t a spiritual resurrection or a metaphorical rising. Jesus physically, bodily walked out of that tomb. And listen—that changes everything.
Admiration vs. Surrender
You can admire Jesus as much as you want. You can study His teachings, debate His claims, and respect His moral philosophy. But the most important question anyone can ever ask you is this: Have you surrendered your life to Him?
Salvation is not about knowing facts. You can learn every Bible verse, memorize every theological argument, and still miss the point entirely. Salvation is simply about trust—trusting in who Jesus is and what He has done for you.
At Lakeview Christian Church, we understand that faith isn’t about intellectual agreement. It’s about personal surrender. It’s about saying, “Jesus, I trust You with my life, my future, my eternity.”
Why the Resurrection Matters
The resurrection validates every claim Jesus ever made. When He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6), the resurrection proved it. When He said, “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25), the empty tomb confirmed it. When He promised, “Because I live, you also will live” (John 14:19), His victory over death guaranteed it.
Without the resurrection, Christianity crumbles. Paul said it plainly in 1 Corinthians 15:17: “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.” But because Jesus is alive, everything changes:
- Death is defeated
- Sin is forgiven
- Hope is real
- Eternity is secure
Be the Change
This is why our mission at Lakeview Christian Church of Portage Lakes is to be the change as Jesus has changed us. The resurrection isn’t just a historical event—it’s a transforming power that changes lives today.
We live this out through “Just 3”:
Study – We study to love and know God, discovering the power of the resurrection in Scripture and experiencing it in our daily walk.
Share – We share to know and love others, telling them about the risen Savior who changed our lives and can change theirs too.
Serve – We serve as love in action, demonstrating that Jesus is alive by the way we love, give, and care for others.
The Question You Must Answer
You can’t stay neutral about Jesus. You can’t admire Him from a distance and call it faith. The resurrection demands a response. Either Jesus rose from the dead and is Lord of all, or He didn’t and Christianity is a lie. There’s no middle ground.
C.S. Lewis said it best: “Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.”
So the question remains: Have you surrendered your life to Him? Not just acknowledged Him. Not just respected Him. But truly surrendered—giving Him control of your life, your decisions, your future?
Trust, Not Facts
Salvation comes down to trust. Do you trust that Jesus is who He said He is? Do you trust that His death paid for your sins? Do you trust that His resurrection guarantees your eternal life?
If you’re still trying to figure it all out intellectually, you’re missing the point. Faith isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about trusting the One who does.
At Lakeview Christian Church of Portage Lakes, we’ve seen countless lives transformed by this simple truth: Jesus is alive, and He changes everything. When you surrender your life to Him, you don’t just get forgiveness—you get a new identity, a new purpose, and a new power to live differently.
Your Next Step
Maybe you’ve been admiring Jesus from a distance. Maybe you’ve been studying Him, debating Him, or respecting Him. But today, He’s asking for more than your admiration. He’s asking for your surrender.
The same Jesus who walked out of that tomb 2,000 years ago is alive today, and He’s calling you to trust Him. Not just with your eternity, but with your today. Your struggles. Your fears. Your future.
Jesus is alive. That changes everything. The question is: Will you let it change you?
