QUICKENED PART 2

Table of Contents

1. Introduction and Foundation: John 6:63
2. The Spirit Versus the Flesh
3. Galatians 2:21 – The Frustration of Grace
4. Romans 8:9 – Not in the Flesh, but in the Spirit
5. Romans 8:11 – The Quickening Spirit Within
6. The Source of Faith: Romans 10:17
7. No Guilt, Shame, or Condemnation
8. Seeing Christ Is Seeing You

Introduction and Foundation: John 6:63

The message begins with a heartfelt greeting from Pastor Leonard and Pastor Lori, thanking the viewers and supporters of their ministry. They revisit the foundational verse of this teaching series:
John 6:63 — "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life."
Pastor Leonard emphasizes the significance of Jesus’ words: it is not the flesh but the Spirit that quickens—revitalizes, makes alive. When Jesus first taught this, the disciples had no understanding of the full revelation that would later be revealed through Paul’s gospel of grace. The truth that we were crucified with Christ and raised with Him was not yet grasped, but Jesus laid the foundation for this life-giving truth.

The Spirit Versus the Flesh

Jesus declared that the flesh profits nothing. Pastor Leonard explains that this refers not only to the futility of trying to be made righteous through the law (works of the flesh) but also to the futility of living governed by natural senses—sight, sound, touch. These cannot produce the life of God. Pastor Lori and Pastor Leonard stress that true transformation comes from the Spirit. The flesh, no matter how disciplined or religious, cannot produce life. It is the Spirit that quickens.

Galatians 2:21 – The Frustration of Grace

To clarify what Jesus meant, the sermon references Paul’s statement:
Galatians 2:21 — "I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain."
Pastor Leonard passionately highlights Paul’s logic—if righteousness could be achieved by obeying the law, then Jesus died for nothing. Trying to use the flesh (law-keeping, effort) to become righteous frustrates God's grace. Righteousness is what qualifies us for all God’s blessings and inheritance, so if the flesh profits nothing, then we must abandon it and rely fully on the Spirit.

Romans 8:9 – Not in the Flesh, but in the Spirit

Romans 8:9 — "But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his."
This verse directly connects to Jesus’ teaching. Pastor Leonard celebrates this powerful truth: Jesus said the flesh profits nothing, and Paul confirms, “You are not in the flesh.” Therefore, believers are in the Spirit, and that means they have access to the quickening, revitalizing power of the Holy Spirit. This isn't a future promise—it’s a present reality.

Romans 8:11 – The Quickening Spirit Within

Romans 8:11 — "But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you."
Pastor Lori reads this next verse, showing the continuation of Paul’s thought. The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead now dwells in believers—and that Spirit will also quicken their mortal (not just future resurrection) bodies. Pastor Leonard ties this back to Jesus’ statement:
John 6:63 — "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life."
He emphasizes that we live in a state of being quickened now, because of the Spirit dwelling in us. It’s not a theory—it’s a reality.

The Source of Faith: Romans 10:17

Romans 10:17 — "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."
Pastor Leonard explains this verse with deeper insight. In the best manuscripts, the correct wording is not “word of God” but “word of Christ.” He clarifies that faith does not come from any generic scripture; it comes from hearing the Rhema—the living, revealed Word—about Christ. That’s why preaching focused on law or tradition produces no real faith. Only the unveiled gospel of Christ releases faith, life, and transformation.

No Guilt, Shame, or Condemnation

The pastors passionately denounce preaching that promotes guilt, shame, or condemnation. They describe this as “inferior preaching.” Pastor Leonard revisits the story of the father who cried out to Jesus, “Help my unbelief.” Despite the man's honesty about his doubt, Jesus still healed his son. That is grace. God does not reject us for lacking perfect faith.
Instead, the Word says:
Hebrews 4:16 (implied) — "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."
The Spirit within us, and the words of Christ spoken to us, bring life—not condemnation. That is the true gospel.

Seeing Christ Is Seeing You

Pastor Lori closes by tying all these truths to identity. As we behold Christ, we are seeing ourselves, because:
1 John 4:17 (implied) — "…as he is, so are we in this world."
The more we hear about Christ, the more we learn about who we are in Him. The life of Christ is released deep within us. Pastor Lori celebrates that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead now lives in us, empowering us, defining us, and renewing us.

We hope this article blessed you. Share this teaching with someone who needs to hear that they are not in the flesh but in the Spirit—and that they are already quickened by the very same power that raised Jesus from the dead. Let the words of Christ, which are spirit and life, bring faith, healing, and joy to all who hear. You are loved, accepted, and made alive in Him. Rest in that truth today.