"OUR RESURRECTION" - PASTOR CHUCK BYLKAS
Dear Friends,
“ 6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. 8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: 11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.”
Colossians 2:6-15
As we approach the celebration of Easter, God’s Word teaches us that the Resurrection of Jesus Christ is even more than it appears. The Resurrection is not only a historical event of the past or a hope for the future. The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is our present day reality, as well.
The Apostle Paul teaches us that we are joined with Jesus Christ in His death and Resurrection. It is this union with Jesus Christ that gives us freedom and victory. When Christ died, we died with Him. When Christ was raised from the dead, we were raised from the dead. Christ’s great victory has become ours by faith. Paul tells the church in Ephesus “Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus…” Ephesians 2:5-6 Christ has not only set us free from sin, but He has also given us new life, and we are seated with Him in heavenly places. Our union with Christ is so complete that our very identity is changed. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” II Corinthians 5:17
May God grant us grace to enjoy the blessings of our new life in Christ as we celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
“For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory.” Colossians 3:3-4
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Chuck Bylkas
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Memorial Donation received...
IN MEMORY OF RUTH JOHNSON OF VANCOUVER, WA.Contact us at:
Eastern Missionary Association
PO Box 69
Hancock, MI 49930
Chairman: Pastor Jesse Aho
Phone: (906)370-4564
email: jazzaho@gmail.com
Secretary: Al Jarvi
Phone: (906)482-6157
Email: adjarvi@charter.net
Treasurer: Pastor Ernest (Chuck) Bylkas
Phone: (906)482-8327
Email: cbylkas@pasty.com