Teaching summary
In this sermon, Pastor Leonard Rola shares his personal journey from decades of religious bondage to the revelation of God’s grace, love, and righteousness through Jesus Christ. He recounts how legalism once kept him veiled from the truth, believing God was angry, until a revelation of grace transformed his life and led to miraculous healings. Pastor Leonard emphasizes two divine forces that sustain every believer: understanding how deeply God loves us and recognizing our righteousness in Christ. With transparency and testimony, he encourages all to rest in these truths and to see the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead dwelling within them—bringing healing, peace, and transformation.
Bible verses referenced
Revelation 3:16- "So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth."
Galatians 3:13-14- "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith."
Isaiah 53:5-"But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed."
Romans 8:11- "But if the Spirit of him that raised Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you."
Galatians 5:6- "For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love."
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."
Ephesians 1:6- "To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved."
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."
Ephesians 3:20- "Now unto him that can do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us."
John 3:16- "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
John 17:23- "I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me."
Romans 5:5- "And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."
Romans 5:8- "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
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."
1 John 4:17-18- "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. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love."
Romans 4:25- "Who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification."
Romans 5:1- "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."
Romans 5:17- "For if by one man's offense death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ."
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."
2 Corinthians 5:17, 21- "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new… For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."
Ephesians 4:23-24- "And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness."
Colossians 1:12- "Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light."
2 Corinthians 1:21-22- "Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts."
Teaching notes
Table of Contents
- Introduction and Greeting
- Early Walk and Religious Struggle
- The Veil of Legalism and Revelation of Grace
- The Testimony of Healing and Transformation
- The Same Spirit That Raised Christ
- Faith, Love, and Healing Principles
- Learning the True Source of Faith
- Facing Trials Through Grace and Love
- Discovering God’s Love as the Power Source
- The Revelation of Righteousness
- Living by the Two Great Forces: Love and Righteousness
- Closing: Walking in the Same Spirit
Introduction and Greeting
Pastor Leonard begins with warmth and humor, introducing his wife Pastor Lori, who greets the congregation as “saints,” reminding everyone that to be a saint means being “blameless and holy.” Together they share about their marriage of over forty years, their family, and their joy in serving God. Lori’s daily habit of leaving love notes reminds Leonard of how God continually affirms His children—calling them righteous, loved, and chosen. Leonard testifies that her words became the echo of his Heavenly Father’s voice, reaffirming his identity in Christ.
Early Walk and Religious Struggle
Pastor Leonard shares how in November 1975, he went to the altar weeping and confessing every sin he could remember, giving his life to Christ. Yet, for 35 years, he lived under a gospel of condemnation, being told weekly that he was “just a sinner saved by grace.” He recalls hearing Revelation 3:16–"So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth." These teachings left him in fear and guilt, feeling that God was disgusted with him. Religion became a veil over his relationship with God, keeping him from the joy of knowing Christ’s finished work.
The Veil of Legalism and Revelation of Grace
He explains that for decades, he misunderstood sickness and trials through the lens of legalism—believing illness was either punishment, character-building, or a death sentence, rarely seeing it as an opportunity for God’s glory. He notes that although truths could be found in Scripture, they were not for us under the New Covenant. He emphasizes that God deals with us through covenants, and we must rightly divide the Word of Truth to understand what belongs to believers under grace.
This revelation began when Lori faced an incurable disease—colonic inertia. Doctors told her the only option was to remove her large intestine. The night before her appointment, she read a book about the New Covenant and how Jesus bore our curse, fulfilling Galatians 3:13-14: "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us… That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ."
Lori refused the surgery and asked Leonard to read the same book. As he read, the Holy Spirit illuminated the truth that Jesus had already completed the work, fulfilling Isaiah 53:5: "But he was wounded for our transgressions… and with his stripes we are healed."
The Testimony of Healing and Transformation
This revelation sparked transformation. Leonard was instantly changed—filled with joy and a new understanding of God’s love. Miracles began occurring in his family: Lori’s intestines were healed, his son was healed of cancer, and his premature grandson was healed overnight. Leonard also received healing from asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, and diverticulitis—all without striving. He realized that as Romans 8:11 declares, "If the Spirit of him that raised Jesus from the dead dwell in you… He shall also quicken your mortal bodies."
The Same Spirit That Raised Christ
He teaches that believers possess the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead, which brings life and restoration to their bodies. Healing comes not through striving or authority but by resting in identity. The more he tried to study “how to heal,” the less it happened. When he returned to simple faith in Jesus—believing that Christ’s resurrection power lives within—miracles flowed effortlessly.
Faith, Love, and Healing Principles
Leonard shares that the Apostle Paul outlines four principles for believers concerning healing:
- Faith comes by hearing the words of Christ.
- Faith is energized by love—Galatians 5:6: "Faith which worketh by love."
- Fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of faith.
- Rightly discern the Lord’s body during communion.
He stresses that faith cannot be self-generated; it arises from knowing God’s love. “Love realized is faith energized,” he declares, showing that understanding God’s affection empowers faith to act.
Learning the True Source of Faith
He explains that many believers mistakenly try to build faith through effort or authority. But Paul doesn’t instruct us to command or strive—he instructs us to focus on Jesus. When Leonard stopped commanding healing and simply worshiped, thanking God for loving him, he heard the inner voice of the Spirit say, “Take it, it’s yours.” Pain vanished instantly.
Facing Trials Through Grace and Love
Leonard shares his testimony of facing COVID and later a severe sinus cancer. During COVID, he cried, “Lord, how will I know I’m forgiven if I’m not healed?” God told him, “Get up and take communion.” Remembering Christ’s union and righteousness, Leonard obeyed and was fully healed overnight. Later, when diagnosed with cancer and given a 98% chance of death, he remembered Romans 8:11 again and stood on it. God told him, “You will live and not die. Proceed with peace.”
Miraculously, the next doctor gave him a 98% chance of living. He underwent treatment without fear, never got sick, and gained weight instead of losing it. He turned the hospital into a ministry—encouraging others, praying, and declaring life. He rang the victory bell, proclaiming healing through Jesus’ love.
Discovering God’s Love as the Power Source
Leonard reveals the first of two “greatest forces” in the believer’s life: understanding God’s love. He quotes John 3:16, John 17:23, Romans 5:5, Romans 5:8, Ephesians 1:4, Ephesians 1:6, Ephesians 3:17-19, and 1 John 4:10, 17-18.
These verses together reveal that we are loved the same way God loves Jesus; we are chosen, blameless, accepted, and perfected in His love. Perfect love casts out fear. Leonard teaches that fear is not the opposite of faith—it is the opposite of love. When we lack revelation of love, fear takes root. Therefore, he says, “Love realized is faith energized.”
The Revelation of Righteousness
The second power force is righteousness. Leonard declares, “You’ll never get me off my righteousness.” He unpacks Romans 4:25, Romans 5:1, Romans 5:17, Romans 10:9-10, 2 Corinthians 5:21, and Ephesians 4:23-24.
He explains that when Jesus rose from the dead, believers were declared righteous. Righteousness means being in right standing with God—completely justified. Through faith in Christ, we have peace with God. He urges believers to renew their minds and “put on the new man,” living from their righteous identity rather than striving to earn it.
Living by the Two Great Forces: Love and Righteousness
Leonard concludes that these two forces—knowing God’s love and our righteousness—unlock every blessing. Colossians 1:12 says the Father has qualified us to share in the inheritance, and 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 confirms God has established and sealed us by His Spirit. Everything we need for life and godliness flows from resting in these two truths: God loves us beyond measure, and we are forever righteous in Christ.
Closing: Walking in the Same Spirit
Pastor Leonard ends by affirming that every believer carries the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead. Healing, peace, joy, and righteousness all flow from this truth. He urges listeners to keep their eyes on Jesus, rest in grace, and remember that they are loved and righteous—fully accepted in the beloved.
“We hope this article has blessed you. Share this teaching with others and let them know that the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead dwells in them—bringing life, healing, and victory through His grace.”