POWERS TO BE PART 2

Table of Contents

1. Introduction: The Love of God Shed Abroad
2. Christ’s Passionate Love for Us (Romans 5:8)
3. Chosen Before the Foundation of the World (Ephesians 1:4)
4. Revelation and Illumination by the Holy Spirit
5. God’s Great Love and Rich Mercy (Ephesians 2:4)
6. Living by the Faith of the Son of God (Galatians 2:20)
7. Rooted and Grounded in Love (Ephesians 3:17–19)
8. God Loved Us First (1 John 4:10)
9. Faith Which Worketh by Love (Galatians 5:6)
10. Closing Exhortation and Invitation

Introduction: The Love of God Shed Abroad

The message opens with a joyful reminder that “the love of God has been shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit.” Pastor Lori celebrates that divine love with an illustration likening it to a cheerleader’s chant—“Give me an L! Give me an O! Give me a V! Give me an E! What’s that spell? Love!”—ending with the declaration, “Who loves you? Jesus!”

They emphasize that this love is not merely an emotion but the very essence of God’s presence within us. It is the Spirit’s role to continually remind believers that they are deeply loved by God.

Christ’s Passionate Love for Us (Romans 5:8)

Pastor Lori introduces the next scripture from Romans 5:8, first reading from the Passion Translation:
“But Christ proved God’s passionate love for us by dying in our place while we were still lost and ungodly.”

Then Pastor Leonard reads from the King James Version:
Romans 5:8 – “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

They discuss how this verse proves that God’s love was demonstrated not when man was righteous but when he was sinful. God’s love is not a reaction to our goodness—it is His nature expressed even when we were undeserving. Pastor Leonard points out, “While we were yet sinners, He proved His love by sending Jesus.”

They affirm that this shows God is not angry or mad, but rather full of compassion. His love predates our repentance and precedes any human effort to earn it.

Chosen Before the Foundation of the World (Ephesians 1:4)

The pastors move to the fifth scripture: Ephesians 1:4. Pastor Lori reads from the Passion Translation:
“And he chose us to be his very own, joining us to himself even before he laid the foundations of the universe. Because of his great love, he ordained us so that we would be seen as holy in his eyes with unstained innocence.”

Then the King James Version is given:
Ephesians 1:4 – “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.”

This revelation amazes them both. Pastor Leonard explains that God’s love did not begin at the cross but existed “before the foundations of the universe.” Pastor Lori expresses emotion, saying, “I cried and cried—‘I’m innocent, I’m holy!’” They rejoice that this truth is beyond human comprehension but can be received through the Holy Spirit.

God saw humanity through His great love even before time began. He already viewed us as holy and innocent in Christ before any sin entered the world.

Revelation and Illumination by the Holy Spirit

Pastor Leonard highlights that this understanding must come by revelation, not intellect. He refers to the eyes of our understanding being enlightened. Revelation is not mental knowledge but divine illumination from the Spirit. They emphasize that only through the Holy Spirit can believers grasp the magnitude of God’s eternal love. This insight is not earned—it is revealed.

God’s Great Love and Rich Mercy (Ephesians 2:4)

They move to the next scripture, Ephesians 2:4, which Pastor Leonard reads from the King James Version:
Ephesians 2:4 – “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us.”

They explain that God has always been rich in mercy because of His great love for us. Mercy flows out of love. This mercy is not limited to moments of repentance—it has always been God’s nature.

Pastor Lori rejoices, repeating, “Great love! Great love with which He loves us.” They note that every act of mercy traces back to His everlasting love.

Living by the Faith of the Son of God (Galatians 2:20)

The next verse, Galatians 2:20, is read:
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.”

Pastor Leonard highlights the phrase “the faith of the Son of God,” explaining that this is not our faith but Christ’s faith working in us. Pastor Lori adds, “He loved me, He gave Himself for me—this is personal!”

They remind the audience that our life in Christ is not driven by striving but by resting in His faith and His love.

Rooted and Grounded in Love (Ephesians 3:17–19)

Pastor Lori then reads from Ephesians 3:17–19 in both versions.

Passion Translation:
“Then, by constantly using your faith, the life of Christ will be released deep inside you, and the resting place of his love will become the very source and root of your life. Then you will be empowered to discover what every holy one experiences—the great magnitude of the astonishing love of Christ in all its dimensions! How deeply intimate and far-reaching is his love! How enduring and inclusive it is! Endless love beyond measurement that transcends our understanding—this extravagant love pours into you until you are filled to overflowing with the fullness of God!”

King James Version:
Ephesians 3:17–19 – “That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.”

They explain that God’s will is for us to be deeply rooted and grounded in His love. When we understand the vastness of that love—its breadth, length, depth, and height—we are filled with the fullness of God. Pastor Leonard notes that as we grow in revelation of His love, that fullness begins to flow out of our lives to others.

God Loved Us First (1 John 4:10)

Next, Pastor Lori reads from the Passion Translation:
“This is love: He loved us long before we loved him. It was his love, not ours. He poured it out by sending his Son to be the pleasing, sacrificial offering to take away our sins.”

Then the King James Version:
1 John 4:10 – “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”

They emphasize that God’s love is not dependent on our actions or affection. He loved us before we loved Him. Pastor Leonard says, “He doesn’t love us because we love Him—He loved us first.” Pastor Lori adds, “So many people think they must prove their love to God to earn His favor, but this scripture destroys that idea.”

This is another profound revelation of grace—the realization that love originates from God, not from man.

Faith Which Worketh by Love (Galatians 5:6)

They continue to the tenth and final scripture, Galatians 5:6:
Galatians 5:6 – “For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.”

Pastor Leonard explains that Paul was contrasting the old covenant law, where blessing depended on doing, with the new covenant of grace, where everything flows from believing in Christ’s love.

He explains that the Greek word for “worketh” is energeo, from which we get the English word “energize.” Thus, faith is energized by love.

They teach that real faith—mountain-moving, life-changing faith—comes alive only when the believer fully realizes God’s love. Pastor Lori says, “When love is realized, faith is energized.”

The pastors conclude that as believers grow in revelation of God’s love, faith naturally produces fruit. This divine cycle cannot be commanded by law; it is the overflow of relationship with Jesus.

Closing Exhortation and Invitation

As they close, Pastor Leonard and Pastor Lori encourage viewers to stay connected and continue learning about the sources of power in the believer’s life. They invite listeners to visit their YouTube channel, website, and Facebook page for more teachings.

They express gratitude to all supporters and remind everyone that giving helps the ministry spread the true gospel of grace: “You are God’s hand extended.”

We hope this article has blessed you. The message of “Powers to Be Part 2” reveals that the greatest power available to us is God’s eternal love. Before the world began, He saw us as holy and innocent in Christ. As we receive that revelation, our faith is energized, our hearts are transformed, and His fullness flows through our lives. Share this teaching with others so they, too can experience the power of His love in their own lives.