Teaching summary
This sermon teaches that grace is Jesus Himself. Grace isn’t merely undeserved favor, but the living presence of Jesus in us, working even when we don’t fully understand it. Pastor Leonard and Pastor Lori share real-life testimonies demonstrating that God’s grace is always active, always helping, always empowering. They stress that our natural challenges do not cancel spiritual truth — God causes all things to work together for our good.
Bible verses referenced
Philippians 1:7- “Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; since both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.”
Romans 8:28- “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.”
1 John 4:17- “Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.”
Teaching notes
Table of Contents
- Live Broadcast and Introduction
- What Is Grace?
- Grace Was Working Even Before We Knew It
- As Jesus Is, So Are We — Even When We Can’t See It
- Examples from Peter, Paul, and John
- We Share the Same Grace
- God Works Even When We Don’t Apply “Principles”
- Testimonies of Grace in Family Trials
- True Faith Does Not Deny the Natural
- Grace for Ourselves and for Others
- Closing Encouragement and Thanks
Live Broadcast and Introduction
Pastor Lenny and Pastor Lori open the message, emphasizing that they are broadcasting live and enjoy connecting with viewers. They introduce today’s teaching as a continuation of Sunday’s message about grace. They encourage listeners to watch the previous sermon if they missed it, because today they will expand on the same theme.
What Is Grace?
They discuss how people define grace in different ways. Pastor Lori says grace is Jesus—His love and His life flowing. Pastor Lenny explains why he no longer uses the phrase “unmerited favor.” If God gave Jesus for us, then God showed that He believed we were worth it. Grace is all that Jesus is, all He has, and all He does.
Grace Was Working Even Before We Knew It
Pastor Leonard shares that grace operated in his life even before he understood grace. Protection, restoration, rescue — all were grace in action. Grace doesn’t wait for us to define it correctly. Grace is Jesus at work, regardless of our knowledge.
As Jesus Is, So Are We — Even When We Can’t See It
They remind us of 1 John 4:17: “Herein is our love made perfect… because as he is, so are we in this world.” They teach that although we confess this truth, sometimes our natural senses argue against it. Our mind, will, and emotions often say “No” because we are used to reasoning by what we see and feel. Yet spiritually, this truth remains.
Examples from Peter, Paul, and John
They reflect on Peter — impulsive, emotional, yet walking in a grace so powerful that others were healed even as he passed by. They talk about Paul, stoned and left for dead, who rose without anyone praying over him. Grace — Jesus in him — raised him. The grace that raised Christ from the dead was in Paul.
They reference Romans 8:28: “And we know that all things work together for good…” to show that God always works on our behalf.
They share how John, the apostle of love, once asked Jesus if he should call down fire on people — reminding us that even great apostles were imperfect while full of grace. So, there is hope for us all.
We Share the Same Grace
They read Philippians 1:7: “Ye all are partakers of my grace.” Pastor Leonard emphasizes Paul’s words — we have the same grace Paul had, because grace is Jesus, and Jesus is in us. Grace in us works even when we don’t know it’s happening. This is the message in Pastor Leonard’s book, “I Am, I Can, I Have.”
God Works Even When We Don’t Apply “Principles
They explain that God is not waiting for us to perfectly apply principles before He acts. God is always working for our good. They again remind us of Romans 8:28 — God causes all things to work together for good. Grace moved for the man of Gadara before he understood faith. Jesus healed the widow’s son without her asking. Grace acts because God loves us — not because we earn it.
Testimonies of Grace in Family Trials
Pastor Leonard shares personal testimonies: his wife caring for their sick child years ago, before they understood grace. Grace empowered her as a mother. Later, she went through her own incurable condition. Grace carried her. He tells how he battled cancer, and how grace empowered both of them — even when he could barely stand, grace strengthened him to rise and push forward.
He describes his wife working all day and then driving him to treatments late into the night, carrying and supporting him physically. Grace helped her and moved through her.
True Faith Does Not Deny the Natural
They teach that faith does not require pretending symptoms don’t exist. Jesus felt every blow at the cross — He did not deny the pain. Yet He looked beyond it because of the joy set before Him. That is faith — acknowledging natural reality but giving greater weight to spiritual truth.
They emphasize again Romans 8:28 — God causes all things to work together for our good — while we worship and praise Him, faith rises.
Grace for Ourselves and for Others
Pastor Leonard teaches that we have grace not only for our own needs but also to help others and to live in the miraculous. The normal Christian life is supernatural. As we grow in understanding, grace continues to manifest more fully.
Closing Encouragement and Thanks
They close by reading Philippians 1:7 again to remind believers: we are joint participants in the same grace. Pastor Leonard thanks partners for their giving and support. They acknowledge the importance of generosity, especially in December, and pray that the message blesses everyone.
We hope this article has blessed you. Share this teaching with someone who needs to know that Jesus—Grace Himself—is always working on their behalf.