Teaching summary
In this message, Pastor Leonard Rola explains that our lives are not meant to be lived by our own faith, but by the faith of Jesus Christ. He shows through scripture that righteousness, justification, and daily living all come from Jesus’ faith, not our efforts. Using the finished work of the cross and the analogy of a child in the womb, he illustrates a life free from worry, stress, and self-dependence. The teaching emphasizes rest, trust, and complete reliance on what Jesus has already accomplished.
Bible verses referenced
Galatians 2:16- "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified."
Galatians 2:20- "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."
Galatians 3:22- "But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe."
Mark 11:22- "And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God."
Matthew 6:25-33– "Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you, by taking thought, can add one cubit unto his stature?
And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore, take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? Or, what shall we drink? Or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye need all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
Hebrews 10:7- "Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God."
Acts 17:28- "For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring."
Teaching notes
Table of Contents
- Introduction: Questions About the Faith of Jesus
- Justification Comes Through His Faith, Not Ours
- Living Daily Life by the Faith of the Son of God
- The Faith of God Before the Cross
- Resting Instead of Striving: God’s Original Design
- Why Jesus Had to Go Through So Much
- “It Is Finished”: The Completion of Everything
- The Nature of Jesus’ Faith
- The Picture of Faith: A Child in the Womb
- Living Without Worry Through His Faith
Introduction: Questions About the Faith of Jesus
Pastor Leonard begins by addressing a common question that arose after his previous message: What does the faith of Jesus actually look like? He explains that many believers are familiar with the idea of having faith in Jesus, but fewer understand what it means to live by His faith.
He emphasizes that this teaching connects directly to the resurrection and the declaration of righteousness that came through Christ.
Justification Comes Through His Faith, Not Ours
Paul makes it clear that righteousness does not come from human effort or personal faith strength.
Galatians 2:16- "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified."
Pastor Leonard emphasizes that this verse clearly states it is not our faith that justifies us, but the faith of Jesus Christ. This removes pressure from the believer and shifts the focus entirely onto Christ.
Living Daily Life by the Faith of the Son of God
Paul continues by explaining how this truth applies to everyday life.
Galatians 2:20- "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."
This means that the Christian life is not sustained by personal effort or faith performance. Instead, it is lived through the faith of Jesus Himself. Pastor Leonard encourages believers to make this truth personal—just as Paul did—recognizing that Jesus loved them and gave Himself for them.
The Faith of God Before the Cross
Pastor Leonard explains that even before the cross, faith was never about human ability.
Mark 11:22- "And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God."
He explains that this phrase points to God’s faith, not human faith. The power was never in human belief alone, but in God’s ability and faithfulness.
Resting Instead of Striving: God’s Original Design
He then connects this idea to the Garden of Eden and Jesus’ teaching.
Matthew 6:25-33- "Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life…" (full passage above)
Adam originally lived without worry, stress, or striving. Everything was provided. Jesus later reinforced this by teaching that believers should not worry about provision, because the Father already knows their needs. The message is clear: God’s design has always been rest, not anxiety.
Why Jesus Had to Go Through So Much
Pastor Leonard reflects on the suffering of Jesus and asks a powerful question: Why did it have to be so much? He describes the full extent of Jesus’ suffering—His agony in Gethsemane, the beating, the whipping, the crucifixion—and compares it to situations where people might ask, “How much is enough?”
The conclusion is that Jesus endured everything necessary to ensure that nothing in our lives would be left undone—sin, sickness, brokenness, and every need was fully addressed.
“It Is Finished
He explains that when Jesus said “It is finished,” it meant complete fulfillment of God’s will.
Hebrews 10:7- "Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God."
Jesus completed everything required. There was nothing left for humanity to add. He then entrusted everything to the Father, fully confident in His nature and promises.
The Nature of Jesus’ Faith
Pastor Leonard defines the faith of Jesus as absolute confidence in the Father. Jesus does not worry, question, or stress. Once something is entrusted to the Father, it is as good as done. That is the faith believers now live by.
The Picture of Faith: A Child in the Womb
To illustrate this, he gives a powerful analogy of a baby in the womb.
Acts 17:28- "For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring."
The baby does not worry about food, safety, or provisions. Everything is supplied perfectly. The baby simply lives and grows while the mother does all the work. This is the picture of the believer’s life in Christ.
Living Without Worry Through His Faith
Pastor Leonard concludes by explaining that this is what life looks like when lived by the faith of Jesus.
There is no anxiety, no striving, and no pressure to perform. Everything has already been accomplished through Christ. The believer simply lives, grows, and rests in what has already been provided. This is the freedom of living by His faith, not our own.
We hope this article blessed you and helped you see the beauty of living by the faith of Jesus Christ. If this message encouraged you, share it with others so they, too, can experience the peace, rest, and freedom found in Him.