THE EXACT GRACE

Table of Contents

1. Introduction: Worship and Preparing the Heart
2. God’s Love for the World and for Us Personally
3. Learning the Father’s Heart Through the Prodigal Son
4. Wrestling With Questions About Adam, Christ, and Humanity
5. The Vastness of God’s Love and Grace
6. The Growth of God’s Kingdom in the World
7. Overcoming Fear-Based End-Time Teachings
8. Grace Does Not Fail: Contrasting Religion and Revelation
9. The Good Work in Us: God Initiates, Executes, Completes
10. Cooperation With the Holy Spirit and Being Led as Sons
11. Transformation by Beholding: The Mirror of Christ
12. Joint Participants in the Same Grace
13. Seeing Grace Through Praise and Worship
14. Empowering the Present by Acknowledging the Past
15. Embracing Christ in Us: Our True Nature Revealed
16. Molding a Spectacular Future Through Grace
17. Communion and Remembering Christ
18. Closing Prayer and Encouragement

Introduction: Worship and Preparing the Heart

The sermon opens in an atmosphere of worship, with singing, praise, and magnifying the name of Jesus. Pastor Leonard begins by honoring the presence of the Lord, lifting up thanksgiving, and ensuring that everything in the room—sound, audio, and environment—is ready so that the message is delivered properly.

He repeatedly exalts the Lord with phrases like:

“Thank you, Jesus.”
“We magnify your name.”
“We glorify your name, Lord.”

 This is not filler—it sets the heart posture for the entire sermon. The message that follows is profound, and Pastor Leonard intentionally begins with worship because the Word is best received when hearts are tender, grateful, and aware of God’s presence.
He emphasizes God’s love, saying:

“Father, You loved the world. You didn’t hate the world. You weren’t angry with the world… You were ready to love the world. That’s why You gave us Jesus.”

 Here he directly invokes John 3:16, which says:“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.” Worship leads naturally into thanksgiving for Jesus as the demonstration of God’s love for every person. Pastor Leonard keeps repeating:

“Thank you for Jesus.”
“Thank you for Your love.”
“You sent Jesus because You loved the world.”

God’s Love for the World and for Us Personally

Pastor Leonard transitions from “God loves the world” to “God loves me.” He says he does not pray merely, “Thank You for loving the world,” but: “Thank You for loving me.” He teaches that every believer must make God’s love personal, not general.

He stresses: “It’s me. You have to make His love personal. Thank You for Jesus dying on the cross for me.” He then expands on the depth of God’s love. Although we reference love regularly—“I love pizza,” “I love ribs,” “I love my wife,” “I love the weather”—none of these compare to God’s love. He quotes 1 John-like themes(though not referencing the chapter explicitly): that God’s love surpasses anything we can comprehend. “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.” Pastor Leonard also emphasizes that God’s love did not begin when we did something good—nor did it stop when we did something bad He says:

“All that He’s done for me… He never ever failed me.”

Learning the Father’s Heart Through the Prodigal Son

Pastor Leonard uses the parable of the prodigal son to illustrate God’s unwavering love. He explains that he was once like the prodigal—wasting, squandering, living wrongly—yet the Father’s love never changed. The pastors reference the moment the prodigal returns home and the father embraces him without judgment. This refers directly to Luke 15:20–24, which we now insert in full:

Then he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:

And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry."

He explains the father did NOT:
– lecture him
– scold him
– punish him
– correct him

Instead, he hugged him, kissed him, wept on him, and restored him with robe, ring, and sandals. Pastor Leonard emphasizes that this robe was never removed, the ring never taken away, the sandals never stripped off. This shows that God never lost sight of who you truly are, even if you lost sight of it yourself. This parable beautifully introduces the nature of grace revealed later in the sermon.

Wrestling With Questions About Adam, Christ, and Humanity

Next, Pastor Leonard discusses deep theological questions he wrestled with—particularly the contrast between the first Adam and the last Adam. He begins with Romans 5:12, saying:
“Because of one man, sin entered the world…”

 Here is the full verse again: “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:”

 He explains that a person—kind, gentle, saintly—would still be considered a sinner by inheritance because of Adam’s choice, even though they had no say in the matter.

 He then mentions the last Adam, referring to 1 Corinthians 15:45, which says:
"And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit."

 He explains:
– Adam’s action affected everyone without choice.
– Christ’s action is much greater—but invites a choice.

 Then he references 2 Corinthians 5, which contains one of the richest passages on reconciliation. He specifically mentions the line “if one died for all” and “God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself.”

Pastor Leonard explains that even highly educated Bible scholars could not fully explain the depth of these verses.He emphasizes: “We stay away from things we cannot explain. But Pastor Lenny can’t stay away.” He then quotes the Scripture:

“Every knee will bow and every tongue confess”—a reference to Philippians 2:10–11, “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Pastor Leonard highlights that the Greek word for “confess” includes joyfully and thankfully praising—indicating a voluntary acknowledgment.

The Vastness of God’s Love and Grace

Pastor Leonard admits:
“I have no idea how great God’s love is. I have no idea how great His grace is.” He references Paul’s prayer that we would know the breadth, length, depth, and height of God’s love—that comes from Ephesians 3:17–19, which says:

 “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.”

 He says: “I don’t know if we’ll ever fully know. But in heaven, I won’t be surprised who’s there.” He explains that when we fully understand God’s love and grace, many things will finally make sense:
– Grace is bigger than we imagine
– God’s love reaches higher than mountains, lower than valleys
– God remains faithful regardless of our understanding. And with that, he transitions into discussing the growth of God’s kingdom.

The Growth of God’s Kingdom in the World

Pastor Leonard shifts from the vastness of grace to a broader, global perspective of what God is doing on earth. He contrasts fear-based news cycles with the reality of a growing, victorious Kingdom.
He explains that many Christians become discouraged because they consume endless doom-and-gloom narratives from news outlets and commentators. But Jesus said the Kingdom of Heaven is like yeast in a lump of dough—it spreads until the whole dough is filled.
This refers to Matthew 13:33, though he didn’t cite it explicitly by reference, so we do not insert the text. We only preserve the illustration as he gave it. He describes how yeast spreads through every part of the dough, leaving no area untouched. Likewise, God’s Kingdom is advancing across the world—even if traditional media does not emphasize it.

 He notes powerful examples:
– One out of every three people in the world today identify as Christian.
– Thousands are coming to Christ daily in China.
– Great moves of God are happening across Africa, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and many other regions.
– Stadiums in the United States—Texas, Georgia, and beyond—are being filled with believers worshiping Jesus.

 He affirms: “God’s Kingdom is growing. God’s Kingdom is expanding. My Jesus is victorious. My God’s grace is victorious.”

 This counters the narrative that the world is collapsing spiritually. Instead, the sermon teaches:
Grace is winning.
The Kingdom is spreading.
The Gospel is advancing globally—just as Jesus said it would.

Overcoming Fear-Based End-Time Teachings

Pastor Leonard then shares candidly about growing up in a Christian environment filled with fear-based eschatology (end-times teachings). He recounts:
– Watching Left Behind.
– Watching movies about the mark of the beast.
– Watching portrayals of believers lining up to be executed in the tribulation.
– Living in fear that he would miss the “first rapture” and be left behind to suffer.
– Trying desperately to “get his act together” to make the second rapture.

 He humorously admits he thought:

“My wife will be in the first group. Maybe I can get myself together and catch the second group.” This vulnerable moment shows how legalism and fear distort the believer’s view of God.
He explains:“Jesus has been predicted to return at least 25 times since 1977.” One specific false date he mentions was:

September 11, 2025 (a predicted date that obviously did not happen). He uses this to show that people have repeatedly misunderstood God’s timeline. Yet despite countless false predictions:
– The church continues marching forward.
– Grace continues triumphing.
– The gospel continues being preached worldwide.
He states firmly:“I belong to a victorious church.” He then references Romans 5:20, though not by citation, so we insert the full verse because it is clearly alluded to:
“Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:”

 This verse reinforces the central point:

Grace does not fail.
Grace does not diminish.
Grace does not get overpowered by sin or darkness.

Grace Does Not Fail: Contrasting Religion and Revelation

Pastor Leonard explains that many who teach dispensational theology believe that previous “dispensations” failed—especially the church age—leading to the need for a tribulation to “clean things up.”
He rejects this interpretation because it contradicts Scripture’s teaching on the power of grace.

He states: “Grace does not fail. There's no end to grace.”

He emphasizes:
– Religion teaches that your spiritual progress is up to your effort.
– Religion makes grace conditional.
– Religion makes sanctification and holiness something you achieve.
– But Scripture teaches the opposite: God is the One who initiates, executes, and completes the work in us.

He contrasts this with environments where:
– People walk out if the preacher doesn’t use their preferred Bible translation.|
– Traditions of men overshadow the Word of God.
– Legalistic mindsets nullify grace.

He shows how modern churches still fall into this trap—elevating traditions over truth.|Then he resets the congregation with a smile and says:“I got a great message for you."

The Good Work in Us: God Initiates, Executes, and Completes

Pastor Leonard now officially introduces the sermon’s core revelation:“The Same Grace.”
He explains that many believers feel discouraged because:
– They think they can’t walk with the grace Jesus walked in.
– They think they can’t be like Paul or Peter.
– They compare themselves to spiritual heroes and feel inadequate.
He says humorously: “Forget Jesus! We can’t walk like Him. Forget Paul! Forget Peter! Forget any hero of the faith!”

Then he delivers the punchline: “The same grace they walked in is the exact grace you have.“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:”

He teaches this truth:
– God initiates the work
– God executes the work
– God completes the work

The Greek meanings were explained:
– Initiates = He commences it, not us
– Executes = He performs the labor
– Completes = He accomplishes, finishes, terminates the old and brings in the new.

He reinforces this with Ephesians 2:8–10, which says: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” He uses the example of his son, a woodworker, to illustrate “workmanship.” A table cannot boast about creating itself. Neither can we. This section emphasizes: Grace is not a process you achieve. It is a revelation you receive. God is the One doing the transforming.

Cooperation With the Holy Spirit and Being Led as Sons

 Pastor Leonard explains that transformation becomes practical through cooperation with the Holy Spirit. He quotes Romans 8:14, which says: “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”
He explains what “being led” means:
– Shown which way to go
– Carried to or away from places
– Taken by the hand and pulled along
– Following the Spirit’s direction

 He emphasizes: If you are a son of God, you are led by the Spirit—actively, continuously, personally.

Transformation by Beholding: The Mirror of Christ

Pastor Leonard quotes 2 Corinthians 3:18, a major pillar of the sermon: “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”
He explains:
– The “veil” symbolizes works, effort, striving, law.
– When the veil is removed, you see God clearly.
– When you see Him clearly, you see your true reflection—Christ in you.
– Transformation does not happen through effort but through beholding.

|He breaks down the metaphor:

When you stand before a mirror, the mirror reflects your image. But spiritually, when the veil is gone and you behold Jesus, The Spirit does the transforming. We simply behold.

Joint Participants in the Same Grace

Pastor Leonard now moves deeper into Paul’s revelation, building to the climax of the sermon. He introduces Philippians 1:7, a foundational verse for the message of “The Same Grace.” He quotes from the Mirror Study Bible but affirms that every translation says the same thing—believers are joint participants in grace.

Pastor Leonard stresses the key phrase: “We are joint participants in the same grace.”

He elaborates:
– There are not different levels of grace.
– Some preachers claim certain people walk in “higher grace,” but Paul contradicts this.
– There are only deeper understandingsand greater revelation—not different kinds of grace.
He says boldly: “My grace is your grace.” He then connects this truth to **Romans 5:1–2, which says:Peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” Pastor Leonard then quotes Romans 5:17 to reinforce the abundance of grace: “For if by one man's offence 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.”

He emphasizes:
– All believers have received the abundance of grace.
– All believers stand in the same grace.
– All believers are called to reign in life—not struggle beneath it.

He assures the congregation:“You don’t have ‘less grace’ than Paul. You don’t have a different grace than Peter. You have the exact same grace.”

Seeing Grace Through Praise and Worship

Pastor Leonard now reveals the key to experiencing greater revelation of grace.

He says:“How do we release this grace? How do we see it manifest?” He admits humbly:“If I were to rate the priorities in my life, I have not given this area the place it deserves.” Then he teaches:The release of grace is seen through praise and worship.

He connects this to Paul’s words in Philippians 1:3, which the Mirror Study Bible paraphrases as: “The thought of you inspires me with joy and gratitude—praise to God.” This is not merely emotional expression—Pastor Leonard explains that praise and worship do something spiritual:

Praise and worship increase spiritual vision and clarity. He says: “Praise and worship is how the Holy Spirit increases your vision and your eyesight.” This ties directly to 1 Corinthians 2:10, which he later quotes: “But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.”

 Praise → increases vision
Vision → increases revelation
Revelation → increases understanding of grace
Understanding → increases reigning in life 

He explains that praise is not a work nor a requirement—it is a response to what God has done. But it has a powerful effect: “It opens your spiritual eyes.”He emphasizes that Paul’s spiritual insights flowed from a heart of praise, gratitude, and joy—not striving. Thus, praise is not “extra.” It is the posture through which grace is revealed.

Empowering the Present by Acknowledging the Past

Pastor Leonard introduces a profound statement: “We empower our present by acknowledging what has taken place in the past.”He clarifies that he does NOT mean our personal past—successes or failures.

He means what GOD has done in the eternal past before the foundation of the world. He directly references Ephesians 1:4, which says: “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:”

He explains:
– Before Adam sinned,
– Before the world existed,
– Before you ever lived or made a mistake, God saw you in Christ—holy, blameless, and loved. So when you acknowledge what God already finished, you empower your present.

He emphasizes: “This is not about what has not yet happened. It is about what has already taken place.”

He ties this to grace:
– Grace is God’s eternal decision about you.
– Grace is God’s finished work in Christ.
– Grace is not something developing—it is something revealed.

He stresses: “You will see God’s grace more clearly in the present when you acknowledge what God has already done in the past.”

Embracing Christ in Us: Our True Nature Revealed

Pastor Leonard now connects grace to identity. He quotes Colossians 1:27, which says: “To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:”

He teaches:
– Grace reveals Christ in us.
– Christ in us reveals our true nature.
– Embracing Christ in you causes you to explode into your God-given character.

He explains: “You explode into your true nature and character today by embracing Christ in you. And Christ is the fullness of grace.”

This means:
– You are not trying to become more like Christ.
– Christ in you already defines who you are.
– Grace reveals the reality that already exists.

Thus: Identity transformation is not achieved—it is unveiled. The more you see Christ in you, the more you become aware of who you already are in Him. And this awareness directly shapes the future God intends.

Molding a Spectacular Future Through Grace

Pastor Leonard offers a final revelation about grace and destiny: “You mold your future into something spectacular by acknowledging what has taken place in the past.”

He ties this insight back to:
– The mirror of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18)
– The removal of the veil (no more works)
– Grace being a finished reality
– Identity being rooted in Christ in us

By acknowledging:
– “God has already made me holy.”
– “God has already placed me in Christ.”
– “God has already completed the work.”
– “Christ already lives in me.”…you mold a future aligned with:
– victory
– purpose
– grace|
– supernatural destiny

He references Ephesians 1:17 as the prayer that fuels this transformation:

“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:”

He closes this section saying: “This is all because of grace. All of it. We have the very same grace Jesus walked in… Paul walked in… Peter walked in…” And this prepares the congregation for communion.

Communion and Remembering Christ

Sister Nina comes forward to lead communion.

She reads from 1 Corinthians 11:23–26, inserted below in full:

 “For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.

After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.”

 She emphasizes:
– Communion is a reminder of what Christ has already done.
– It is a celebration of our union with His death and resurrection.
– It anchors us in the grace that completed everything on our behalf.

 She thanks God for:
– giving the words
– the presence of the Holy Spirit
– the sacrifice of Jesus
– the blood and the body broken for us

 Her prayer reinforces every theme in Pastor Leonard’s sermon: That believers would “chew on,” digest, and be empowered by this revelation of grace.

Closing Prayer and Encouragement

Pastor Leonard closes with a prayer:

– thanking the Father
– acknowledging that if we could only see what God sees, our lives would be different
– affirming that the Holy Spirit reveals all truth
– praising God for the image of Christ reflected in us

 The service ends with gratitude, celebration, and a reaffirmation: We have the exact same grace.

Not a lesser grace. Not a modified grace.

Not a reduced grace. The exact grace that was on Jesus, Paul, Peter, and every servant of God—is the grace given to every believer today.

We hope this teaching on “THE EXACT GRACE” has blessed you and opened your eyes to the immeasurable love and power of God’s grace at work in your life. As you meditate on these Scriptures and revelations, may the Holy Spirit continually reveal who you are in Christ and the grace that empowers your everyday walk. If this message strengthened your faith, share it with someone who needs encouragement today. May God’s grace, peace, and revelation abound to you always.