Notes of Faith March 1, 2026
Pastor’s Pen Pulpit
Easter Sunday 2001
“THE BENEFITS OF HIS RESURRECTION”
Romans 6
We are all familiar with the teaching of I Corinthians 15 and other New Testament passages which show clearly that because Jesus was raised bodily from the dead, all Christians will one day have a glorified body like His. That is a fact settled in Heaven.
However, let us look briefly at His bodily resurrection as it benefits Christians today. In Colossians 3:1 Paul writes:
If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
This is a blanket statement of fact. We have to go to that familiar sixth chapter of Romans to see the details.
He begins in verses 1 and 2 by saying that because we died together with Him, then it is unthinkable that we can continue to live in a pattern of life habit of sin. Paul says we have been baptized into His (Christ’s) death, identified completely with Him in death so whatever happened to Him on the cross, happened to believers in God’s eyes. Then verse 4 follows logically - if we have died with Him, we live with Him because He was raised up from the dead by the glorious power of the Father. We are identified with Him in death and identified with Him in resurrection. The resurrection power of the risen Christ lives within each true believer in Christ.
Because of that fact, sin no longer reigns in our lives - leading us down the same old path we once trod. Paul punctuates that fact in verses 6 and 7:
Knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, that our body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin; for He who has died is freed from sin.
Beloved, that is the present application of the resurrection. Believers have no need to yield and keep on yielding to anger, pride, gossip, and all the things that go with the sin nature. Spiritually you are as much alive with Christ today as you will be throughout all eternity. Claim this truth for yourself and experience the true Easter message. All truth is relevant for today.
God bless each and every one of you this Easter Season. I challenge you to seek those things which are above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
Love to you all,
Pastor Charles Covington
Col 3:1-17
Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. 3 For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.
5 Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. 6 For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, 7 and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, 10 and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him — 11 a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.
12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. 14 Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
Many Scriptures are good to memorize. This is one that Robin and I did many years ago that is still good to renew the mind with today! Maybe this will bless you as it has us over the years!
Pastor Dale