Teaching summary
In this teaching, Pastors Leonard and Lori Rola reveal three powerful truths found at the very beginning of the Gospel of Luke: favor, faith, and power. Through the story of Mary, they show that every believer is highly favored by God, not just a select few. They explain how true faith comes by hearing God’s living word, not by human effort. Finally, they remind believers that the same Holy Spirit who overshadowed Mary now lives within them, empowering them to live from rest, victory, and grace.
Bible verses referenced
Luke 1:26-35- (KJV): And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
Luke 1:37–38- (KJV): For with God nothing shall be impossible. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
Luke 1:45- (KJV): And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.
Philippians 48- (KJV): 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.
Ephesians 1:6- (KJV): To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
John 17:22- (KJV): And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one.
Romans 8:30- (KJV): 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 10:17- (KJV): So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Hebrews 4:11- (KJV): Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
Matthew 5:6- (KJV): Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Leviticus 17:11- (KJV): For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.
Matthew 26:26-28- (KJV): And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
Teaching notes
Table of Contents
- Opening Praise and the Power of Focusing on Good News
- Victory, Grace, and the Defeated Enemy
- Introduction to Luke Chapter 1 and the Grace Gospel
- Mary and the Announcement of Divine Favor
- Highly Favored: No Special Class of Believers
- Accepted in the Beloved: Understanding True Favor
- How Faith Really Works
- Rest, Hearing God, and the Rhema Word
- Testimony of Healing Through Hearing God
- The Power of the Holy Spirit Within Us
- Communion and the Finished Work of Christ
- Closing Encouragement and Prayer
- Opening Praise and the Power of Focusing on Good News
Opening Praise and the Power of Focusing on Good News
The message opens with heartfelt praise and worship, magnifying the name of Jesus and thanking the Father for the gift of His Son. Pastor Leonard expresses gratitude for Jesus as a personal gift, not just a gift to the world, but a gift given to him, his family, and all believers. He reflects on the peace and goodwill that often mark this time of year and contrasts it with the constant negativity promoted by news outlets, including Christian ones. He reminds listeners that Scripture calls believers to focus on what is good and praiseworthy.
He references Philippians 4:8 (KJV)- 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.
He emphasizes that despite what is portrayed in the media, God is doing many good and miraculous things, and the church is victorious because Jesus declared that the gates of hell would not prevail against it.
Victory, Grace, and the Defeated Enemy
Pastor Leonard declares that grace does not fail and God does not fail. He explains that the enemy is already defeated and only gains influence when believers allow him space in their thinking. He reminds listeners of the believer’s position in Christ and speaks declarations of victory rooted in Scripture, emphasizing that believers are “indescribable” when they remain anchored in Christ and aware of their victory.
He encourages believers to reject old mindsets from before Christ reigned in their lives and to live from their seated position in Christ, knowing the enemy is under their feet.
Introduction to Luke Chapter 1 and the Grace Gospel
Transitioning into the main teaching, Pastor Leonard introduces Luke chapter 1 and explains why Luke’s Gospel is especially significant. Luke was closely associated with the Apostle Paul and presents a Gospel filled with grace. He highlights Luke chapter 15 as a key grace chapter and explains that Luke begins his Gospel by revealing foundational truths through the account of Mary and the virgin birth.
This introduction sets the stage for understanding favor, faith, and power as core grace realities revealed right at the beginning of the New Testament story.
Mary and the Announcement of Divine Favor
The teaching centers on Luke 1:26–35, 37–38, and 45. Pastor Leonard carefully walks through the angel Gabriel’s announcement to Mary, noting how the angel greets her as “highly favored” and reassures her that she has found favor with God.
He reads and emphasizes Luke 1:26-35 (KJV) and explains that Mary was betrothed to Joseph, meaning they were as good as married, making the announcement even more astounding. Gabriel declares that Mary will conceive by the Holy Spirit and bear the Son of God, whose kingdom will never end.
He then highlights Luke 1:37-38 (KJV): For with God nothing shall be impossible. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
And Luke 1:45 (KJV)- And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.
Highly Favored: No Special Class of Believers
Pastor Leonard addresses a common question: Was Mary more favored than others? He asks whether there are special believers, ministers, or children who are more favored by God. Through a grace lens, he answers clearly that there are no special classes in God’s family. All believers are equally and highly favored.
He explains that Mary was favored, but not in a way that excludes others. Every believer shares the same favor through Christ. This realization lifts believers’ confidence and removes comparison, jealousy, and spiritual hierarchy.
Accepted in the Beloved: Understanding True Favor
To support this truth, Pastor Leonard turns to Ephesians 1:6 (KJV)- To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
He explains that the English word “accepted” can sound weak, as if believers merely met minimum requirements. However, the Greek word used here is the same root word used for “highly favored” in Luke. It means “endued with special honor.”
He explains that this verse could accurately be understood as God having endowed believers with special honor and declared them highly favored in Christ. He supports this with John 17:22 (KJV)- And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one. And Romans 8:30 (KJV): 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.
This truth changes how believers stand before God and how they walk through daily life.
How Faith Really Works
The second major truth revealed in Luke chapter 1 is how faith works. Pastor Leonard explains that faith is not mental effort, self-determination, or something that grows through human striving. Faith comes only one way.
He references Romans 10:17 (KJV)- So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Faith accompanies hearing God’s word. Mary did not try to work up faith; faith came with the angel’s spoken word. When God spoke, faith came alongside that word.
Rest, Hearing God, and the Rhema Word
Pastor Leonard explains that when Mary said, “Be it unto me according to thy word,” the Greek word used is “rhema,” meaning a spoken, living word. Faith came with that rhema word, enabling Mary to believe and respond.
He emphasizes that believers must rest, not strive. He references Hebrews 4:11 (KJV)- Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
Rest positions believers to hear God. When believers worship, praise, and focus on Jesus, God’s voice comes, and faith comes with it.
Testimony of Healing Through Hearing God
Pastor Leonard shares a personal testimony of being diagnosed with cancer and given a 98% chance of death. While worshiping and praising God, he heard God’s voice say he would live and not die. Later, he was instructed to take communion. After obeying, he woke up healed.
He explains that this was not faith by effort but faith that came by hearing God’s voice, reinforcing the message that true faith flows from hearing.
The Power of the Holy Spirit Within Us
The third truth revealed in Luke chapter 1 is power. Pastor Leonard highlights the angel’s words: “The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee.”
He explains that the same Holy Spirit who overshadowed Mary now lives within believers. This means believers are not powerless but are endued with divine power and grace in abundance.
Communion and the Finished Work of Christ
As the service transitions to communion, the focus turns to remembering Christ’s finished work. The meaning of the blood and body of Christ is explained through Scripture.
Leviticus 17:11 (KJV)- For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.
Matthew 26:26-28 (KJV)- And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
Communion is celebrated as a reminder of forgiveness, healing, and eternal life through Christ.
Closing Encouragement and Prayer
Pastor Lori closes the service by reminding believers that they are highly favored, just like Mary. She thanks God for His love, favor, and grace and prays for a blessed week for all.
The message ends with gratitude to God for making the Christian walk effortless when believers rest in His finished work.
Pastor Lori closes the service by reminding believers that they are highly favored, just like Mary. She thanks God for His love, favor, and grace and prays for a blessed week for all. The message ends with gratitude to God for making the Christian walk effortless when believers rest in His finished work.