Teaching summary
In this sermon, Pastors Leonard and Lori Rola continue teaching about the laws of the new covenant, emphasizing the law of love and introducing the law of faith. Pastor Leonard explains that faith is not about our effort or boasting but about God’s gift of faith through Jesus Christ. The sermon highlights that true faith is energized by understanding and resting in God’s love. Pastor Lori shares a personal reflection on being rooted and grounded in God’s word, using the parable of the sower to illustrate spiritual growth. The message concludes with an invitation to salvation and a communion celebration that reminds believers of Christ’s finished work.
Bible verses referenced
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Hebrews 8:13: "In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away."
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John 13:34: "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another."
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Romans 13:10: "Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law."
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Galatians 5:14: "For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."
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Romans 8:14: "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God."
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1 Corinthians 13:4-8: "Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away."
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Romans 3:27-28: "Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Therefore, we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law."
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Deuteronomy 28:1-2: "And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God."
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Ephesians 2:8-9: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."
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2 Corinthians 10:12: "For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise."
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2 Peter 1:1: "Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ."
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Romans 12:3: "For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith."
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Galatians 5:6: "For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love."
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Romans 10:17: "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."
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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."
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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."
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Matthew 13:3-9: "And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up, and choked them: But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear."
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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
- Worship and Opening Prayer
- Recap of Part 1: The Law of Love
- Introduction to the Law of Faith
- The Difference Between Works and Faith
- Faith as a Gift, Not a Work
- Equal Measure of Faith for All Believers
- Faith Energized by Love
- Hearing the Gospel to Strengthen Faith
- Pastor Lori’s Reflection: Rooted and Grounded
- Invitation to Salvation
- Communion and Closing Blessing
Worship and Opening Prayer
The sermon begins with heartfelt worship and praise, magnifying God as the way maker, miracle worker, and the life and truth. Pastor Leonard prays, thanking God for His grace, declaring that God’s work is not finished, and reminding believers that they no longer live under a covenant that requires them to "do more" because Jesus Christ has done all that is necessary.
Recap of Part 1: The Law of Love
Pastor Leonard reviews the previous week’s teaching on the law of love. He cites Hebrews 8:13: "In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away." He emphasizes that the old covenant of law is now obsolete and replaced by a new commandment, quoting John 13:34: "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another." Love fulfills all the requirements of the law, as Paul wrote in Romans 13:10 and Galatians 5:14.
Introduction to the Law of Faith
Pastor Leonard transitions into discussing the second law of the new covenant: the law of faith. He references Romans 3:27-28: "Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law." He contrasts the old law of works with the new law of faith, which is rooted in grace.
The Difference Between Works and Faith
The pastor explains that under the old covenant, blessings were dependent on obedience, as shown in Deuteronomy 28:1-2: "And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God." In the new covenant, blessings come through faith, not works.
Faith as a Gift, Not a Work
Faith and grace are gifts from God, as stated in Ephesians 2:8-9: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." Pastor Leonard emphasizes that no one can boast about having more faith than another because faith is given equally to all believers.
Equal Measure of Faith for All Believers
Pastor Leonard cites 2 Peter 1:1 and Romans 12:3 to show that all believers have been given "like precious faith" and "the measure of faith." He stresses that the faith deposited in us is the faith of Jesus Christ Himself, and it is sufficient for all situations.
Faith Energized by Love
Quoting Galatians 5:6: "For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love," Pastor Leonard explains that understanding God’s love energizes faith. He references Paul’s prayers in Ephesians, which encourage believers to be rooted and grounded in love.
Hearing the Gospel to Strengthen Faith
Pastor Leonard highlights Romans 10:17: "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." He explains that hearing about Christ’s love and finished work strengthens the God-given faith within us. He also references Galatians 2:20 to show that we live by the faith of the Son of God.
Pastor Lori’s Reflection: Rooted and Grounded
Pastor Lori shares insights from her gardening experience, connecting the parable of the sower in Matthew 13:3-9 with the importance of being spiritually rooted and grounded. She emphasizes that when God’s word is deeply rooted in us, we can withstand trials and produce lasting fruit.
Invitation to Salvation
Pastor Lori extends an invitation to anyone who has not yet confessed Jesus as Lord, citing 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."
Communion and Closing Blessing
The service concludes with a communion celebration, reflecting on 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." Pastor Leonard encourages believers to remember Christ’s finished work and walk confidently in their righteousness through Him.
We hope this article blessed you. Share this teaching with others so they too can discover the power of God’s love and faith under the new covenant. May you continue to grow in grace, be rooted in His love, and walk boldly in the faith He has freely given to you.