Teaching summary
In this foundational teaching, Pastors Leonard and Lori Rola present the original image and likeness of God in humanity as true holiness and true righteousness. They stress that through Jesus Christ, believers are restored to this original design, reclaiming authority and dominion. The pastors clarify that this dominion is not based on personal works, but purely through the finished work of Jesus. They challenge listeners to reject guilt and condemnation and embrace their true identity as righteous and holy children of God.
Bible verses referenced
Genesis 1:26-31- "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so. And God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day."
Ephesians 4:24- "And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness."
Isaiah 53:10-11- "Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities."
Romans 5:17- "For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ."
Romans 12:2- "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
Teaching notes
Table of Contents
1. Introduction: A Personal Connection
2. The Most Pressing Needs in the Body
3. The Original Image and Likenes
4. Apostle Paul Reveals God's True Image
5. Authority and Dominion Through Righteousness
6. Scripture Proof of New Creation Righteousness
7. Dominion Through the Gift of Righteousness
8. The Power of Renewing the Mind
Introduction: A Personal Connection
Pastors Leonard and Lori opened by expressing heartfelt love and appreciation for their congregation, both local and online. They recognize the support, encouragement, and prayers of the people as a gift from God to them. They emphasize that this ministry exists to teach the true gospel of grace—the too-good-to-be-true message—with no additions, purely focused on Jesus.
The Most Pressing Needs in the Body
The pastors identify the top needs among believers today:
Healing, as many are seeking restoration in their bodies.
Financial provision, recognizing economic struggles.
Healing within relationships—whether between spouses, siblings, parents and children, or lost friendships.
They affirm that God's word provides answers to these real and personal challenge
The Original Image and Likeness
The pastors begin laying the foundation for this series by reading Genesis 1:26-31:
"And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth…"
They emphasize that God's original design for humanity was to be created in His image and likeness. Many associate this with authority and dominion, but the pastors stress that authority and dominion are the fruit, not the root, of God's image.
Apostle Paul Reveals God's True Image
The Apostle Paul reveals that God's image and likeness are true holiness and true righteousness, reading from Ephesians 4:24: "And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness."
Pastor Leonard explains that Paul’s writings focus on the new creation, redemption, and restoration to God's original intent. This is where our authority and dominion are rooted—in the fact that we are, in Christ, truly holy and righteous.
Authority and Dominion Through Righteousness
This righteousness and holiness give believers back their position of dominion, just like Adam and Eve had in the garden. Pastor Leonard highlights the common mistake where believers claim they are not righteous, often quoting "There is none righteous, no, not one" out of context. He stresses that Paul repeatedly declares in his epistles that believers are now righteous and justified through Jesus.
Scripture Proof of New Creation Righteousness
Pastor Leonardes' righteousness:
Romans 3:22- "Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference.
Romans 3:24-"Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:"
Romans 3:26- "To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus."
Romans 4:25- "Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification."
Romans 5:1-"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:"
Romans 5:17-"For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ."
Romans 5:21- "That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord."
Romans 8:29-30-"For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified."
Romans 9:3- "For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:"
Romans 10:4-"For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth."
Romans 10:9-10- "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."
2 Corinthians 5:21- "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."
Dominion Through the Gift of Righteousness
The pastors read Romans 5:17:
"For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ."
They encourage believers to fully immerse themselves in this new identity. Dominion and authority naturally flow from understanding and embracing one's righteousness in Christ.
The Power of Renewing the Mind
The closing section focuses on the importance of mind renewal. Quoting Romans 12:2,
"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
Pastors Leonard and Lori stress that the journey back to the garden, back to dominion and authority, begins by renewing the mind to accept God's truth of who we are in Christ—truly holy, truly righteous, and fully restored.
We hope this article blessed you. Share this teaching with someone who needs to know they are righteous, loved, and empowered by God. Stay tuned for Part 2 of this powerful series with Pastors Leonard and Lori Rola. Remember, as you renew your mind, transformation follows.