LET GOD DO THE INITIATING

Teaching summary

In this teaching, Pastors Leonard and Lori Rola explain that true spiritual authority begins by looking away from the natural realm and focusing on Jesus. They emphasize that faith is perfected when believers stop reacting to what they see and instead respond to what God reveals. Jesus Himself demonstrated this by never acting on His own initiative but only doing and speaking what He saw and heard from the Father. The message encourages believers to remove spiritual “noise,” rest in God’s love, and allow Him to initiate their use of authority.

Bible verses referenced

Hebrews 12:2- “And looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

John 5:19- “Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.”

John 12:49- “For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.”

Teaching notes

Introduction: Authority and Faith
Looking Away from the Natural Realm
Jesus and the Joy Set Before Him
Authority Does Not Mean Self-Initiative
Hearing the Father: Removing the Noise
Practical Examples of Spiritual Authority
Final Encouragement: Let God Initiate

Introduction: Authority and Faith

Pastor Leonard opens by explaining that this message builds upon Sunday’s teaching about the authority of the believer. Authority, he explains, is exercised through faith, but not through self-effort or personal striving. The foundation of true authority begins with understanding how faith operates.

Pastor Lori begins by reading from Hebrews 12:2, which becomes the central anchor of the message:

Hebrews 12:2 — “And looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Right at the beginning of this verse is the instruction: “looking unto Jesus.” This sets the tone for the entire teaching.

Looking Away from the Natural Realm

Pastor Lori emphasizes the phrase “looking unto Jesus” and explains that it requires looking away from the natural realm — away from what the senses perceive. The natural realm includes what we see, hear, touch, smell, and feel. Faith begins by shifting focus away from these sensory inputs.

Pastor Leonard highlights how powerful this instruction is. If faith is to be perfected, then the first step is to stop strengthening the natural realm by constantly focusing on it. The more we dwell on natural circumstances, the more power we give them. To weaken the influence of the natural realm, we must intentionally look away from it.

They share a personal testimony of Lori’s struggle with colonic inertia. During intense pain and difficulty, she did not deny the reality of her situation, but she refused to remain there mentally or spiritually. After acknowledging the pain, they would pray, and she would shift her focus back to the Lord. Her strength came from within — from the Spirit of God indwelling her. In doing this, she was living out Hebrews 12:2 without even realizing it.

Again, the verse is central:

Looking away from the natural realm is not denial; it is a redirection of focus.

Jesus and the Joy Set Before Him

Pastor Leonard draws attention to the second half of Hebrews 12:2 — “who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross.” Jesus faced extreme physical suffering: the nails, the crown of thorns, the beatings. Yet He looked past the natural realm because of joy.

They explain that the joy set before Him included fulfilling the Father’s will and redeeming humanity. We were that joy. The finish line strengthened Him. Joy empowered Him to endure.

Again, the full verse is foundational:

The message here is that believers must also find their joy — the joy of salvation, the joy of God’s love, the joy of their identity in Christ — and allow that joy to strengthen them beyond natural circumstances.

Authority Does Not Mean Self-Initiative

The teaching then transitions into the authority of the believer. Authority is real. Jesus had full authority. Yet He never acted independently.
Pastor Lori reads John 5:19 — “Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.”

Pastor Leonard emphasizes how striking this is. Jesus, fully anointed and fully empowered, says He can do nothing of Himself. He refuses to operate on His own initiative. He only acts after seeing the Father act. This means that authority does not equal self-generated action. Authority operates under submission. Believers often struggle because they attempt to use authority from their own initiative instead of responding to what God reveals.

Then they read John 12:49 — “For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.”

Jesus not only refused to act independently, but He refused to speak independently. He spoke only what the Father instructed Him to speak. The authority of the believer is therefore exercised after hearing, seeing, and receiving from God — not before.

Hearing the Father: Removing the Noise

Pastor Lori references Jesus’ words that His sheep hear His voice. The issue is not that God is silent; the issue is that noise interferes with hearing.
Pastor Leonard uses the example of a phone call in a loud environment. If there is too much noise, you cannot hear clearly. Likewise, spiritual noise prevents believers from hearing God.

Noise can include:
– Obsessive focus on the natural realm
– Constant news consumption
– Relationships that distract from intimacy with God
– Media that fills the mind with violence or negativity

He explains that praise and worship function like a spiritual “Q-tip” — clearing out the ears so that believers can hear again. Praise moves a person into a quiet spiritual place where the Father’s voice becomes clear.

Practical Examples of Spiritual Authority

Pastor Leonard gives an example from law enforcement. A police officer has authority, but he cannot act independently of higher command. Authority is always exercised within structure and under instruction.
Similarly, Jesus — though possessing ultimate authority — did not act independently. He acted only after seeing and hearing the Father.

They again reinforce the Scriptures:

John 5:19 — “Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.”
John 12:49 — “For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.”

Believers must first hear. Then they speak. First see. Then act. Authority flows from alignment, not impulse.

Final Encouragement: Let God Initiate

The message concludes with a simple but profound reminder: let God do the initiating. Rest in His love. Lay down in the green pastures of salvation. Remove the noise. Fill your life with praise and worship. Remember that you are a spiritual being wrapped in flesh.

Look away from the natural realm and look unto Jesus:

When believers wait, listen, and respond to the Father’s instruction, their authority operates effectively and powerfully.

Thank you for taking the time to read this teaching. We pray that it encourages you to rest in God’s love, remove the noise, and allow Him to initiate your steps in faith and authority. If this message blessed you, please share it with others so they, too, can grow in hearing His voice and walking in His authority.