Teaching summary
In this powerful sermon, Pastor Leonard Rola exhorts believers not to allow anyone to “undress” them spiritually—meaning, not to let anyone strip away their understanding of righteousness, holiness, and identity in Christ. Drawing from Ephesians 4:24 and Matthew 6:33, he explains that we have been clothed in true righteousness and holiness through Christ, and we must renew our minds to live from that reality. He contrasts the old covenant of “do-it-yourself” law with the new covenant of grace, urging believers to live with confidence as righteous and holy saints who already have everything they need for life and godliness.
Bible verses referenced
Ephesians 4:24- “And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”
Matthew 6:33- “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
Mark 3:4- “And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace.”
Romans 10:4- “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.”
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.”
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.”
Romans 3:23–24- “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”
Romans 8:30- “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.”
Ephesians 4:23 24- “And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”
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.”
Philippians 4:8- “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
Colossians 3:1-2- “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”
Colossians 1:12 13- “Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son.”
Hebrews 4:16- “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
1 Peter 2:9- “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”
Teaching notes
Table of Contents
- Introduction and Announcements
- The Message: Don’t Let Anyone Undress You
- Understanding the Old and New Covenants
- The Meaning of Matthew 6:33
- The Kingdom Realm Explained (Mark 3:4)
- Righteousness: Not Ours, But His (Romans 10 & 3)
- The New Covenant Reality: We Are Righteous and Holy
- Renewing the Mind to Righteousness
- Living from the Kingdom Within (Colossians 1)
- Coming Boldly Before God (Hebrews 4:16)
- Living in Our New Creation Realities (1 Peter 2:9)
- Closing and Communion
Introduction and Announcements
Pastor Leonard begins by sharing a lighthearted moment about a technical issue with double audio from two microphones during a previous service. After resolving it, he announces exciting news: beginning Monday at 9:00 a.m. Eastern, he and Pastor Lori will appear on The NOW Television Network, broadcasting the message of grace to millions of viewers. He also thanks Caprice and Nenah for their ministry in his absence, commending their powerful teaching and communion service.
With joy and anticipation, he transitions into the sermon’s message titled, “Don’t Let Anyone Undress You.”
The Message: Don’t Let Anyone Undress You
Pastor Leonard explains that the phrase “Don’t let anyone undress you” refers to spiritual undressing — when believers are stripped of their understanding of righteousness and new creation identity. He reminds the congregation that God commands us to put on the new man, as written in Ephesians 4:24: “And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”
He emphasizes that many churches unintentionally “undress” believers by teaching them they are still sinners, even after salvation. Pastor Leonard declares boldly, “I may sin sometimes, but I am not a sinner.” Believers must live in righteousness consciousness, not sin consciousness, because through Christ, they have been made the righteousness of God.
Understanding the Old and New Covenants
Before diving deeper, Pastor Leonard stresses the importance of context. He explains that every scripture must be understood according to the covenant under which it was written. The Old Covenant was a “do-it-yourself” system, requiring people to perform before God could bless them. But Jesus came to fulfill and replace that covenant with the New Covenant of Grace, where everything is now based on what He has already done.
The old system said, “You must do before God can bless.” The new system declares, “He did it—it is finished.”
The Meaning of Matthew 6:33
Pastor Leonard then reads Matthew 6:33: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
He explains that this verse was originally spoken under the Old Covenant, which means people had to seek the kingdom and righteousness first before things could be added to them. However, under the New Covenant, believers already have the kingdom and are the righteousness of God.
He analyzes the Greek meaning of “first” (proton), explaining it means foremost in time, importance, and order. “Kingdom” (basilia) refers to God’s rule, reign, and realm. “Righteousness” (dikaiosune) means another’s righteousness — not one’s own.
The Kingdom Realm Explained (Mark 3:4)
Pastor Leonard connects this to Mark 3:4, where Jesus asks, “Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill?”
He explains that Jesus was revealing kingdom law — demonstrating that healing and doing good are lawful in God’s kingdom. When Jesus healed the man’s withered hand, He was showing that God’s rule (the kingdom realm) operates by love, mercy, and righteousness — not restriction.
The pastor emphasizes that everything lawful and right in the kingdom reflects God’s nature. The believer must understand they now live within this divine legal realm.
Righteousness: Not Ours, But His (Romans 10 & 3)
Pastor Leonard explains that the righteousness Jesus spoke of was not human righteousness earned by effort but God’s own righteousness given to believers.
He quotes Romans 10:4: “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.”
And again, 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.”
Jesus’ listeners, still under the law, could not yet understand this. But today, believers know that 2 Corinthians 5:21 fulfills it: “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.”
Righteousness, Pastor Leonard declares, is not achieved — it’s received.
The New Covenant Reality: We Are Righteous and Holy
The pastor contrasts Matthew 6:33 under law with our present reality under grace. In the Old Covenant, people sought righteousness. In the New, we are made righteous.
He references Romans 3:23-24: “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”
But, he adds, believers must read beyond verse 23 to understand the full picture: Romans 8:30 declares, “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.”
We are no longer “falling short”—we are glorified in Him.
Renewing the Mind to Righteousness
Pastor Leonard turns again to Ephesians 4:23–24: “And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”
He explains that transformation happens in the mind. Paul also writes in Romans 12:2, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind…”
He adds Philippians 4:8 as the key to victorious thinking: “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest… think on these things.” Renewing the mind means aligning your thoughts with what God says about you: that you are righteous, holy, and unblameable.
Living from the Kingdom Within (Colossians 1)
Pastor Leonard affirms that believers are no longer trying to enter the kingdom; they are already in it. Colossians 1:12 13 says, “Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son.”
We don’t just live in the kingdom — the kingdom lives in us. Everything about life and godliness has already been deposited within by divine power.
Coming Boldly Before God (Hebrews 4:16)
He continues: under the old covenant, people feared to approach God. Under grace, we are invited to come boldly. Hebrews 4:16 declares, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
Because of Jesus, believers can now stand before God without guilt or fear — clothed in His righteousness.
Living in Our New Creation Realities (1 Peter 2:9)
Pastor Leonard concludes with a powerful reminder from 1 Peter 2:9: “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people…”
He declares, “You are God’s possession. He takes care of His possession.” Faith in Jesus Christ transforms Matthew 6:33 from a law-based instruction into a new creation reality — we now live in the kingdom, clothed in His righteousness, fully supplied by grace.
Closing and Communion
Pastor Leonard prays, thanking the Father for the flawless covenant of grace established by Jesus Christ. He celebrates that believers live under a system not based on human effort but divine satisfaction—Christ satisfying every demand on our behalf.
He then invites Sister Caprice to lead communion, closing the message with worship, thanksgiving, and joy over the finished work of Jesus.
We hope this article has blessed you. Share this teaching to remind others of who they are in Christ—righteous, holy, and fully clothed in His grace. Never let anyone undress you of the identity God has given you in Jesus.