Help Us Spread The Word – Please Share Our Site with Others and Consider Giving
New Life Ministry Church
Back to archive

New Life Ministry teaching

LIBERATED BY HIS BLOOD

July 7, 2025

Please Share This Page with a Friend

Teaching summary

In this powerful message, Pastor Leonard Rola draws a bold comparison between America's Declaration of Independence and the believer's freedom through the blood of Jesus Christ. He reminds us that our true liberation was not written in ink but in the eternal blood of Jesus. Through scriptures primarily from the Apostle Paul, Pastor Leonard emphasizes that believers are justified, sanctified, and freed—not by works, but by grace. The message encourages us to live in the liberty Christ has already purchased, not returning to the bondage of legalism. Pastor Lori Rola beautifully concludes with a reflection on spiritual growth through gardening and communion, urging believers to root themselves in the Word of God.

Bible verses referenced

  • Luke 12:32 – "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."

  • 1 Corinthians 6:11 – "And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God."

  • 1 John 1:7 – "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin."

  • Colossians 1:20 – "And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven."

  • Colossians 2:13–15 – "And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it."

  • Ephesians 2:15–18 – "Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father."

  • Romans 3:24–26 – "Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus."

  • Romans 5:1 – "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:"

  • Romans 5:9 – "Much more than, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him."

  • Galatians 5:1 – "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage."

  • John 8:36 – "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed."

  • Galatians 5:4 – "Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace."

  • Galatians 5:7 – "Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?"

  • Romans 10:9–10 – "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."

  • Matthew 26:26–28 – "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

  1. Introduction: Praise, Worship, and the Father's Good Pleasure
  2. Called to Preach by Grace, Not Performance
  3. A Nation's Independence and Our Spiritual Freedom
  4. The True Declaration: Signed in Blood
  5. Paul's Writings: Washed, Justified, and Sanctified
  6. The Power of Perpetual Cleansing
  7. Jesus' Blood Made Peace for All
  8. The Law Was Abolished, Not Modified
  9. Stand Firm in Your Freedom
  10. Resting in the New
  11. An Invitation to Salvation
  12. Communion: Remembering Our Deliverance
  13. A Garden Parable: Growing Deep Roots

Introduction: Praise, Worship, and the Father's Good Pleasure

The sermon opens with heartfelt worship and adoration of God, magnifying Him as a perfect, loving Father. Pastor Leonard praises God for His goodness and declares, “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32). This verse sets the tone, reminding believers that God desire is to bless and empower His children with His kingdom.

Called to Preach by Grace, Not Performance

Pastor Leonard reflects on his early struggles with public speaking, sharing how he once suffered from severe anxiety before ministering. Despite these limitations, God called him into ministry, not because of natural talent, but because of His anointing. Leonard emphasizes that the same anointing resides in every believer. It's released when we focus on God's love, which empowers and frees us from fear. He testifies, “He loves me. He loved me from day one… and every single day since.”

A Nation’s Independence and Our Spiritual Freedom

Connecting the sermon to the July 4th holiday, Pastor Leonard highlights America’s Declaration of Independence and the 56 signers who courageously stood against tyranny. He recounts historical details about famous figures such as Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock, and Roger Sherman. These stories segue into a much greater declaration—one not written on parchment, but in blood.

The True Declaration: Signed in Blood

The message pivots as Pastor Leonard declares, “Some 2,000 years ago, another declaration was signed… with the blood of Jesus.” This eternal document grants freedom from sin, sickness, and death. It wasn’t signed with durable ink, but with a “priceless, never-ending, eternal, and everlasting provision of God.” He proclaims, “Our Declaration of Independence was signed by the blood of Jesus.”

Paul’s Writings: Washed, Justified, and Sanctified

Quoting the Apostle Paul, Pastor Leonard reads, “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:11). He highlights that Paul never teaches believers to work for sanctification. Instead, it is a finished work. The Greek verb tense used for “washed” implies a perpetual action: continually, eternally clean.

The Power of Perpetual Cleansing

To emphasize the eternal power of Christ’s blood, Leonard quotes 1 John 1:7: “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light… the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” He explains that believers are like Teflon—sin doesn’t stick. This is not because of works, but because of the continuous cleansing power of the blood.

Jesus’ Blood Made Peace for All

Pastor Leonard continues with Colossians 1:20: “And, having made peace through the blood of his cross… whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.” He also references Romans 5:1: “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” These verses affirm that our peace with God is established through faith in Jesus' blood.

The Law Was Abolished, Not Modified

Pastor Leonard boldly teaches from Colossians 2:13–15 and Ephesians 2:15–18, stating that the law was obliterated through the cross:

  • Colossians 2:14–15: “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances… nailing it to his cross; and having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly…”

  • Ephesians 2:15: “Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances…”

He emphasizes the Greek word katargeo for “abolish,” meaning to render entirely useless, void, or of no effect. The old system is not modified—it is removed. The believer now lives under a new law, to be revealed in a future teaching.

Stand Firm in Your Freedom

Using Galatians 5:1, Pastor Leonard exhorts believers:

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”

The word “liberty” refers to freedom from both moral and ceremonial laws. John 8:36 affirms, “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” Pastor Leonard warns that returning to justification by works causes Christ to become of “none effect” (Galatians 5:4), meaning the power of grace is cut off when we rely on self-righteousness.

Resting in the New

Pastor Leonard shares a personal analogy about trading in his old Hyundai Tucson with nearly 400,000 miles for a new Ford F-150. The old car couldn’t take him where he needed to go, but the new one could. Likewise, believers must “step into the new” and leave the old behind. He teaches that many Christians don’t enjoy the new life because they haven’t been rightly taught how to walk in it. Right teaching brings liberation from bondage.

An Invitation to Salvation

Pastor Lori Rola closes with an invitation based on Romans 10:9–10: “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus… thou shalt be saved.” She encourages anyone watching to accept Christ by confessing their faith and to contact Pastor Leonard for follow-up and rejoicing.

Communion: Remembering Our Deliverance

Pastor Lori leads the congregation in communion, quoting Matthew 26:26–28:

  • “Take, eat; this is my body…”

  • “Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”

She emphasizes that communion is a celebration of Jesus' finished work—His body broken and His blood shed for us.

A Garden Parable: Growing Deep Roots

Pastor Lori shares a personal testimony of gardening and how God speaks through nature. Different seeds grow at different rates. Some disappoint, but others flourish. The root system is key. Just like in Matthew 13:24–30, she compares weeds among the wheat to spiritual distractions. God showed her that our spiritual roots must grow deep in Christ before certain weeds can be removed. Her message underscores the importance of being rooted and grounded in God’s Word and love.

We hope this article blessed you. Share this teaching with friends and loved ones so others can walk in the liberty that Christ purchased with His blood. You are no longer under bondage—stand fast in your freedom, live in the new, and let the Word of God take deep root in your heart.