Help Us Spread The Word – Please Share Our Site with Others and Consider Giving
New Life Ministry Church
Back to archive

New Life Ministry teaching

Stuck in the Yuck

June 11, 2025

Please Share This Page with a Friend

Teaching summary

In this powerful and freeing message, Pastors Leonard and Lori Rola expose the religious mindsets that keep believers "stuck in the yuck"—held back by tradition, legalism, and false teachings. They emphasize the importance of renewing the mind and putting on the new man created in true holiness and righteousness through Christ. They correct common misconceptions about poverty, sickness, and the identity of the “thief” and the “devil,” restoring confidence in the finished work of Jesus. The message calls believers to reject the fallen mindset and walk fully in their righteousness, healing, and inheritance in Christ.

Bible verses referenced

  • Ephesians 4:20 – "But ye have not so learned Christ."

  • Ephesians 4:23 – "And be renewed in the spirit of your mind."

  • Ephesians 4:24 – "And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness."

  • Ephesians 4:27 – "Neither give place to the devil."

  • Ephesians 2:6 – "And hath raised us together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus."

  • Romans 1:16 – "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek."

  • John 10:10 – "The thief cometh not, but to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."

  • John 1:12 – "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name."

  • Romans 8:30 – "Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified."

Teaching notes

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction: This Is About You
  2. The Veil of Religion and Sacred Cows
  3. Understanding Our Elevated Position in Christ
  4. How Did You Learn Christ?
  5. Misunderstandings Around Healing and Suffering
  6. Misinterpreting Poverty: Was Jesus Poor?
  7. Unveiling the True Identity of the Thief
  8. “Devil” or Fallen Mindset?
  9. Righteousness Qualifies You for Everything
  10. Stay Dressed in the New Man

Introduction: This Is About You

Pastor Lenny begins by affirming that the ministry is not about them as pastors but about the listener. It's about unveiling the “true you,” which was created in true holiness and righteousness. This reality doesn’t come from our works but from the finished work of Christ. They express gratitude for the love and support of their partners and share a touching letter from Kimberly in Ohio.

The Veil of Religion and Sacred Cows

Religion and denominationalism have kept people veiled from who they truly are in Christ. Pastor Lenny uses the phrase “stuck in the yuck” to describe how these systems trap believers. They mention their upcoming message that will address three major sources of this spiritual yuck: denominationalism (traditionalism), experience, and legalism.

Understanding Our Elevated Position in Christ

Pastor Lenny refers to Ephesians 2:6 – "And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:". He explains that through Christ’s victory, the devil has been defeated and stripped of power. Therefore, believers must understand their seated position and authority in Christ rather than giving undue attention to the devil.

How Did You Learn Christ?

Reflecting on Ephesians 4:20 – "But ye have not so learned Christ;", Pastor Lenny challenges listeners to reconsider how they were taught about Christ. He connects this to Romans 1:16 – "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth;"—highlighting that the gospel Paul preached was full of power, not limitations or works-based theology.

Misunderstandings Around Healing and Suffering

Pastor Lori recounts how many were taught incorrect doctrines about healing. People were told things like: “God doesn’t always heal,” or “He’s using sickness to teach you something.” They highlight how such beliefs cause introspection and guilt, rather than freedom. But Jesus declared, "It is finished," and provided full healing through His work.

Misinterpreting Poverty: Was Jesus Poor?

Addressing a common belief, they challenge the notion that Jesus was poor. They clarify that He became poor at the cross so we could become rich. John 10:10 is cited again: "The thief cometh not, but to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."
They argue that the Greek word for “rich” in this context refers to material wealth—prospering in business and life—not just spiritual well-being.

Unveiling the True Identity of the Thief

Most believers think the thief in John 10:10 refers to Satan. But Jesus had just said in John 10:8 (paraphrased), “All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers.” The thief, as defined in the Greek word kleptes, refers to false teachers who abuse the trust of others for personal gain. It's not the devil. Many are stuck in the yuck because they blame Satan, not realizing they’ve been taught wrongly.

“Devil

They then turn to Ephesians 4:27 – "Neither give place to the devil."
They explain that “devil” here comes from the Greek diabolos, derived from two words: dia (to cast down) and balos (to throw). Together, it implies a fallen mindset rather than Satan himself. This aligns with Ephesians 4:23 – "And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;"
and Ephesians 4:24 – "And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness."
Thus, Paul is urging believers not to give space to the fallen mindset—the thinking that denies your true identity in Christ.

Righteousness Qualifies You for Everything

They declare boldly that righteousness qualifies the believer for everything—favor, blessings, healing, and more. Not through works, but through faith in Christ, believers are declared righteous and blameless.
Referencing John 1:12 – "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:"
and Romans 8:30 – "Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified."
They emphasize that nothing more is needed. You are already fully qualified and glorified through Him.

Stay Dressed in the New Man

Closing passionately and encouraging, they urge every listener to reject the fallen mindset and stay dressed in the truth.
Ephesians 4:24 – "And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness."
This is how we learned Christ—not through works, guilt, or religious rules—but by embracing the truth that Jesus went about doing good, healing, blessing, and setting people free. His death, burial, and resurrection secured our healing, our peace, our righteousness, and our wholeness forever.