It's Time to Walk in Your Newness

Table of Contents

1. Introduction: Declaring the Name of Jesus
2. The Battle Over Belief in the Bible
3. Healing, the Holy Spirit, and the Question of Expiration
4. The Danger of Calvinist Thinking and Guilt-Based Preaching
5. The Message Shift: God Wants This Truth Shared
6. Foundational Verses on Our New Identity
7. Paul's Instructions on Walking in Newness (Ephesians 4:17-24)
8. Renovating the Mind and Embracing the New
9. Living as a Blessing Magnet
10. Final Encouragement and Closing Prayer

Introduction: Declaring the Name of Jesus

The sermon begins with passionate worship and exaltation of Jesus Christ, emphasizing that "at the name of Jesus every knee should bow… and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (see Philippians 2:10–11, paraphrased). Pastor Leonard leads the congregation in honoring Jesus' name and glory.

The Battle Over Belief in the Bible

Pastor Leonard shares his struggle with watching social media clips that criticize key figures like Kenneth Copeland, Bill Johnson, and others. He observes that many self-proclaimed Christian "experts" followed by millions publicly suggest the Bible is expired or just a book of nice fables. He challenges this by declaring that we must either believe the Bible is completely true or admit we are lost in sin, referencing John 8 where Jesus said, "if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins."

Healing, the Holy Spirit, and the Question of Expiration

The sermon confronts the idea that miracles and spiritual gifts no longer apply today. Pastor Leonard boldly affirms:

• "And by his stripes we are healed" (see Isaiah 53:5).

• "The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead dwell in you… shall also quicken your mortal bodies" (see Romans 8:11).

• "Jesus healed them all" (see Matthew 12:15).

He argues that no expiration date is found in scripture for healing or the baptism of the Holy Spirit, as Paul said, "I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all" (see 1 Corinthians 14:18).

The Danger of Calvinist Thinking and Guilt-Based Preaching

Pastor Leonard critiques the Calvinist doctrine of predestination, saying it robs people of assurance and pushes guilt and shame to manipulate behavior. He explains Calvinism’s dangerous idea that "Jesus didn’t die for the whole world—only for the chosen ones." Many follow this without realizing, ending up bound in fear and legalism. They're taught to come to the altar, weep, and give an offering out of guilt—not revelation.

The Message Shift: God Wants This Truth Shared

Though Pastor Leonard had another sermon prepared, God gave him this message that very morning, emphasizing: “My people need to know this.” After a peaceful delay at the airport, God downloaded a fresh message on walking in the newness of life. He obeyed that prompting to share what the Spirit was saying now.

Foundational Verses on Our New Identity

Pastor Leonard explains our spiritual rebirth through the following verses:

• John 1:12
  "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:"

• Romans 10:10
  "For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."

• 2 Corinthians 5:17
  "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."

• Romans 6:4-5
  "Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:"

These passages affirm that though the inner man is instantly made new, the outer life must catch up through knowledge and intentional walking.

Paul's Instructions on Walking in Newness (Ephesians 4:17–24)

Pastor Leonard walks the congregation through Ephesians 4:17–24, where Paul instructs:

• Ephesians 4:17–18
  "This I say therefore… that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, having the understanding darkened…"

• Ephesians 4:22
  "That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;"

• Ephesians 4:23
  "And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;"

• Ephesians 4:24
  "And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness."

He emphasizes that this is not automatic. Paul calls believers to intentionally let go of the old and embrace the new.

Renovating the Mind and Embracing the New

The key Greek words are explored:

• "Renewed" (KJV): Renovate, reform, make new.

• "Mind" (Greek: nous): The intellect, will, understanding.

• "Put on" (Greek: enduo): To sink into like a garment.

Pastor Leonard illustrates with a personal story of his wife Lori wrapping herself in a blanket. Just like she sinks into that comfort, we are to sink into the new life and mindset we’ve received in Christ. Transformation comes through understanding and cooperating with what God has already made real in us.

Living as a Blessing Magnet

As believers understand and walk in their newness, they become what Pastor Leonard calls “blessing magnets.” He says:

"When you walk in the newness of life… You bring glory to the Father."

And: "You walk in healing. You walk into the provision. You walk in blessed relationships."

The more we renovate our thinking to align with God’s truth, the more the anointing covers every decision we make.

Final Encouragement and Closing Prayer

Pastor Leonard ends by reminding the church:

• You already are a new creation.

• Your inner man is perfect and eternal.

• You must choose to cooperate with the Holy Spirit.

• Understanding precedes manifestation.

He prays:
"You have made us brand new creations who are able to walk as Jesus walked… and that being the truth we know we have to cooperate with the Holy Spirit of God by becoming renovated in our minds to the very truth you’ve laid out."

Though communion was not held due to a shortage of supplies, he encourages everyone to partake at home and affirms:

"You are the head and not the tail, the top and not the bottom, blessed coming in and blessed going out."

We hope this article has blessed you. Share this teaching with others who need to understand their new identity in Christ. As Pastor Leonard Rola declared, "It’s time to walk in your newness!" Amen.