Teaching summary
In this teaching, Pastor Leonard Rola shares an exercise from Romans Chapter 6 that will transform how believers view both sin and sickness. He teaches that just as we have died to sin through Jesus Christ, we have also died to sickness. Pastor Leonard encourages everyone to read Romans 6 and substitute the word "sin" with "sickness" to better grasp the fullness of Christ’s redemption. The message centers on living free, healed, and empowered through the resurrection life of Jesus.
Bible verses referenced
Romans 6:1- "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?"
Romans 6:2 –"God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?"
Romans 6:3- "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?"
Romans 6:4- "Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."
Romans 6:5- "For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:"
Romans 6:6- "Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin."
Romans 6:1- "For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace."
Teaching notes
Table of Contents
- Introduction: Pastor Leonard's Travel and Encouragement
- Announcement: Upcoming Healing Service
- The Romans 6 Exercise
- Understanding Union with Christ
- Freedom from Sin
- The Revelation: Freedom from Sickness
- The Call to Action and Closing Encouragement
Introduction: Pastor Leonard's Travel and Encouragement
Pastor Leonard opened by greeting everyone from Tampa Bay, Florida, where he and Pastor Lori are visiting family. He shares updates about their travel plans, including a trip to New Hampshire to help care for their grandchildren. Despite the busy schedule, Pastor Leonard reassures the congregation that they will continue to receive messages. He expresses heartfelt thanks for the love, prayers, and financial support the ministry receives, emphasizing how vital the church family is to them.
Announcement: Upcoming Healing Service
Pastor Leonard announces that Jean Shingle will be ministering this coming Sunday at New Life Church. He highlights Jean's powerful healing ministry, which reaches across nations and continents. Pastor Leonard invites anyone needing healing, or who knows someone in need, to attend this special service, promising a powerful move of God.
The Romans 6 Exercise
Pastor Leonard transitions into the core teaching, describing it as an exercise or exhortation. He points listeners to Romans Chapter 6, encouraging them to read it for themselves using multiple Bible translations. He stresses the importance of using tools like Greek concordances and historical dictionaries but, above all, relying on the Holy Spirit for revelation and understanding. He urges believers not to depend solely on others' teachings but to engage personally with the Scripture.
Understanding Union with Christ
The focus shifts to the deep truth found in Romans 6 about being united with Christ. Pastor Leonard explains how believers are united with Jesus in His death and also in His resurrection. He reads and expounds on Romans 6:3:
"Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?" and Romans 6:4:
"Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." He explains that through this union, believers have died to sin and risen into newness of life.
Freedom from Sin
Pastor Leonard passionately teaches that the body of sin has been destroyed. He quotes Romans 6:6:
"Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin."
He explains that sin no longer has dominion over us. He also reads Romans 6:14:
"For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace."
He emphasizes that many believers no longer struggle with obvious sins because they have reckoned themselves dead to sin and alive to God.
The Revelation: Freedom from Sickness
Here's where the exercise comes alive. Pastor Leonard challenges listeners to substitute the word "sin" with "sickness" throughout Romans 6. He explains that just as believers have died to sin, they have also died to sickness. Pastor Leonard says, "How could you still live in sickness who have died to sickness?" He encourages the congregation to resist sickness the same way they resist sin—recognizing it as foreign to their new identity in Christ. He teaches that the old part of us that accommodated both sin and sickness is dead and gone. Sickness has no legal authority over the believer because they are under grace.
The Call to Action and Closing Encouragement
Pastor Leonard closes by encouraging everyone to practice this Romans 6 exercise. He assures them it will bring a powerful revelation and deepen their understanding of walking in health and wholeness through Jesus. He reminds everyone to expect healing and miracles, especially during the upcoming service with Jean Shingle. Pastor Leonard finishes with a loving word from both him and Pastor Lori, expressing how much they care for the church family.
We hope this article blessed you. Share this teaching with someone who needs to know that through Jesus Christ, they have died not only to sin but also to sickness. Pastor Leonard and Pastor Lori love you and invite you to experience God's healing and grace this coming Sunday.