HE INITIATES, EXECUTES AND COMPLETES

Table of Contents

1. Live Broadcast Introduction and Fellowship
2. Thanksgiving for Supporters and Ministry Partnership
3. Reference to Previous Sermon: “The Exact Same Grace”
4. Understanding the Covenants: Law vs. Grace
5. Israel’s Fear of God at Mount Sinai
6. God Never Wanted a Do-It-Yourself Covenant
7. The Adopted Child Story: Loved Before Behavior Changes
8. Grace Means God Works, Not Us
9. Philippians 1:6 — God Initiates, Executes, and Completes
10. God’s Blueprint from Ephesians 1:11
11. Romans 8:29 — Conformed to the Image of Jesus
12. Our Role: Believe and Cooperate with the Spirit
13. Transformation by Renewing the Mind
14. Romans 8:14 — Led by the Spirit, Not Leading Ourselves
15. Removing the Veil: What Stops Transformation
16. 2 Corinthians 3:18 — Beholding the Glory of the Lord as a Mirror
17. Final Encouragement: Stay Unveiled
18. Conclusion and Blessing

Live Broadcast Introduction and Fellowship

The pastors open joyfully, acknowledging they live in their home. They joke about their casual clothing and the snow in the background. They laugh together, showing the warmth of their ministry connection. They make clear how much they enjoy simply being with everyone who joins them, no matter where they broadcast from. They explain the broadcast will remain available on YouTube, Roku, and their website for a long time, and people in the future will know it was filmed in the winter, the first snowfall of the season. They express their love for the viewers right away — setting the tone of the relationship and grace.

Thanksgiving for Supporters and Ministry Partnership

They thank the viewers for prayers, cards, letters, financial offerings, and gifts — because every ministry requires partnership to continue doing what God has called them to do. They share how the Lord is leading them into more and more directions, and the support makes it possible.

They assure all viewers:
Pastors Leonard and Lori pray for everyone who reaches out.

Every text, email, call, message — they lift that person before God. They describe being awakened in the night by the Holy Spirit to pray for the people.

Reference to Previous Sermon: “The Exact Same Grace

They briefly reference last Sunday’s message titled:
The Exact Same Grace

And encourage everyone to go watch part two as well. This morning’s teaching is a continuation of that message.

Paul teaches that we have the same grace — the same favor, the same standing before God.

Understanding the Covenants: Law vs. Grace

Pastor Leonard explains:

The Covenant of Law was:
– A “do-it-yourself” covenant
– Human effort first before God could bless
– Not God’s desired way

But the Abrahamic Covenant was:
– A grace covenant
– God is doing everything for us. God is a loving, giving God — not a demanding one.

Israel’s Fear of God at Mount Sinai

Israel saw:
• Plagues
• Darkness
• Frogs in everything
• Hail
• The Red Sea is collapsing on Egypt’s army
They didn’t understand God yet. They feared Him instead of trusting His love.
They told Moses:
“You go talk to God and tell us what He says — and we will do it.”
Pastor Leonard emphasizes:
This was not what God wanted. They didn’t understand the Holy Spirit like we do today.

God Never Wanted a Do-It-Yourself Covenant

Pastor Leonard illustrates:

A parent doesn’t say:
“We won’t feed you unless you meet demands.” Yet that’s how people view God under law. He explains that giving the law actually tied God’s hands, making blessings conditional instead of freely given. Grace removes those conditions.

The Adopted Child Story: Loved Before Behavior Changes

Pastor Leonard shares a movie story:

A rebellious adopted girl didn’t feel wanted.
The family planned a trip to Disney World.
She assumed she wasn’t included because she misbehaved. But the family welcomed her anyway.

She learned:
She was loved BEFORE she behaved well.

Pastor Leonard says:
THAT is how God loves us.

Grace Means God Works, Not Us

Grace is:
– Jesus’ work
– Jesus’ effort
– Jesus’ finished completion

We mess it up only when we think we have to do something to earn it.
God wants us to:
– Sit back
– Enjoy
– Believe

Philippians 1:6 — God Initiates, Executes, and Completes

Pastor Lori reads Philippians 1:6-“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”

They explain:

Paul says he has inward certainty — he is fully convinced:
– God initiates
– God executes
– God completes

God started the work, not us.
God finishes the work, not us.

He has a plan that will be fully completed:
➜ Completeness in Jesus Christ.

God’s Blueprint from Ephesians 1:11

Pastor Lori reads this verse, Ephesians 1:11- “In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will.”

They explain:
God has a blueprint — a master plan — and we are His exhibition.

Christ is the measure of our portion.
Everything God accomplishes comes from:
– His love
– His intent
– His energy

Romans 8:29 — Conformed to the Image of Jesus

Pastor Leonard explains that God’s plan is already decided — not something for us to accomplish by effort.

He reads Romans 8:29- “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.”

They compare this to an art studio where a model is placed in the center, and the artist paints according to the model.

God the Father:
– is the artist
– Jesus is the model
– You are the canvas

God shapes us into the exact image of Christ:
– Not by our labor
– Not by our striving
– But by His completed work

He looks at Jesus.
Then He looks at us.
And says: That is who you are becoming — and already are in spirit.

Pastor Lori is asked:
“Do we achieve this by working for it?”

Her answer:
“No. Jesus finished it at the cross.”

Our Role: Believe and Cooperate with the Spirit

Pastor Leonard explains: The completion is already done in our spirit. What remains is for our mind and life to reflect that reality.

He quotes the transformation principle found in 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 that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God is.”

We do not transform ourselves.
We renew our thinking to align with what Jesus has already accomplished. It is a cooperation — not a qualification.

Transformation Requires Right Believing

Pastor Leonard says:
The change is from inside out — the spirit reality flowing into our soul and daily life.

Pastor Lori affirms: “Our spirit beings are perfect.”
So the goal now:
– Get our minds to agree
– Believe the truth
– Let the finished work manifest

Romans 8:14 — Led by the Spirit, Not Leading Ourselves

Pastor Leonard asks: If we are sons of God, what does the Bible say about being led?

He quotes Romans 8:14- “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”

He explains:

You have two choices:
– Try to do the spiritual work yourself
– Allow the Spirit to lead

The word “led” means:
– He takes us by the hand
– He guides us gently
– He even carries us away from places we aren’t meant to be

– Never in harshness.
– Never in condemnation.
– Always in love.

Removing the Veil: What Stops Transformation

Pastor Leonard explains the great hindrance:

If we listen to teaching that demands our performance —
– It brings back the veil
– Stops us from seeing who we are in Christ
– Blocks transformation

Pastor Lori reads 2 Corinthians 3:14-15- “But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the veil is upon their heart.”

“Reading Moses” represents:
– Self-effort
– Legalism
– Performance-based Christianity
Pastor Leonard emphasizes:
People are blinded not by sin, but by self-effort religion.

2 Corinthians 3:18 — Beholding the Glory of the Lord as a Mirror

Pastor Lori then reads 2 Corinthians 3:18- “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

Pastor Leonard explains:

The Word is the mirror.
When we look, we see Jesus. And since Christ is in us, we are seeing our true identity.

We do not look in the mirror to fix ourselves.
We look in the mirror to discover:
– Who God already made us
–  The glory already inside us
– The perfection of Christ in us

Then the Spirit does the changing —
“from glory to glory.” Pastor Lori reinforces: “It does NOT come from our obedience or following the law. It’s HIM.”

Final Encouragement: Stay Unveiled

Pastor Lori declares:
“Become unveiled — it feels so good!”

And Pastor Leonard adds:
“Yes — and don’t let anyone put a veil back on you!”

– Stay in grace
– Stay in freedom
– Stay in faith
– Stay in the right believing

Life is great — when you believe who you are in Christ.

Conclusion and Blessing

They express deep love for everyone watching.
They hint they may broadcast outside in the snow (Pastor Lori says “No!”).
They thank everyone again and say:

“We love you. We’ll see you again in a couple of days.”

We pray that this detailed teaching blessed you and helped you see the truth of God’s grace. God Himself initiates, executes, and completes His perfect work in your life. Share this message with someone who needs to know they are loved — not judged and that Jesus has already finished everything for them.