Teaching summary
This sermon focuses on the importance of proper hermeneutics—understanding scripture in its correct covenant, context, author, audience, and purpose. Pastor Leonard and Pastor Lori explain how misreading verses like Romans 3:10 and Romans 3:23 outside their context leads Christians to falsely believe they are still sinners instead of righteous in Christ. They walk through Romans 6 and show that believers died with Christ to sin and were raised with Him to newness of life. The message emphasizes that in the New Covenant, God’s love and righteousness are not based on performance but on Jesus’ finished work. Renewing the mind to these truths is “the only way to think” and the foundation for victorious Christian living.
Bible verses referenced
Romans 3:10 (KJV)- “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one.”
Romans 3:23 (KJV)- “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”
Romans 6:1–10 (Spoken Translation as Read in the Sermon):
Verse 1- “What then shall we say? Should we continue in sin so that grace may abound?”
Verse 2- “By no means. How can we who died to sin go on living in it?”
Verse 3- “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?”
Verse 4- “Therefore, we have been buried with him by baptism into death so that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.”
Verse 5- “For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.”
Verse 6- “We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be destroyed and we might no longer be enslaved to sin.”
Verse 7- “For whoever has died is free from sin.”
Verse 8- “But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.
Verse 9- “We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him.”
Verse 10- “The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.”
Romans 5:1 (KJV)- “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Romans 1:17 (KJV)- “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”
Romans 10:4 (KJV)- “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.”
Romans 8:30 (KJV)- “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.”
Romans 12:2 (KJV)- “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
Galatians 3:13 (KJV)- “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.”
Colossians 1:12 (KJV)- “Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light.”
Ephesians 3:16–19 (KJV)- “That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 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 4:23–24 (KJV)- “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.”
Romans 10:10 (KJV)- “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
Teaching notes
Table of Contents
- Introduction: The Importance of Hermeneutics
- Understanding Context: Why Paul Never Contradicts Himself
- Misused Verses: Romans 3:10 and Romans 3:23
- Transition to Romans 6: Dying to Sin
- Reading Romans 6:1–10 (Spoken Translation)
- “Do You Not Know?” – Forgotten Truths in the Early Church
- United With Christ: Dead to Sin, Alive to God
- Newness of Life and the Revelation of God’s Love
- Lori’s Testimony of Growing Up in Church
- Performance-Based Thinking vs. New Covenant Grace
- Righteousness Revealed Through Christ
- Living in Romans 8:30 Instead of Romans 3:23
- Renewing the Mind: The Process of Transformation
- Freedom From the Curse Through Christ
- Loved and Qualified: Colossians 1:12
- The Foundation of Trust in God’s Love
- Rooted and Grounded in Love: Ephesians 3
- Holiness and the New Man: Ephesians 4
- Believing Unto Righteousness: Romans 10:10
- Perfect and Complete in Christ
- Saints, Not Sinners: Paul’s Consistent Language
Introduction: The Importance of Hermeneutics
Pastor Leonard opens the message by talking about the necessity of proper hermeneutics when approaching the Word of God. He explains that many believers have never heard the term or do not understand its importance. Hermeneutics involves understanding when a scripture was written, who wrote it, to whom it was written, the historical setting, and the cultural environment. Without this foundation, people easily misunderstand the Bible.
He stresses that knowing the author is essential, including the author’s theology and consistent message. For example, he mentions Paul as someone whose doctrine never changes. If a translation seems to show Paul saying one thing in Romans and something contradictory in Ephesians, the error is not Paul—it is either the interpretation or the translation. Hermeneutics safeguards believers from misunderstanding scripture, taking verses out of context, or building doctrines from isolated verses.
Understanding Context: Why Paul Never Contradicts Himself
Pastor Leonard explains that many preachers take single verses out of context and build entire doctrines from them. This creates confusion because the teachings end up contradicting the heart of Paul’s message. Paul’s gospel is consistent from letter to letter. His writings confirm each other, not oppose each other. Pastor Leonard stresses that if someone believes Paul is saying two different things, the problem is a lack of proper hermeneutics. The same apostle cannot preach two different gospels.
Misused Verses: Romans 3:10 and Romans 3:23
Pastor Leonard and Pastor Lori discuss two of the most misused verses in Christianity: Romans 3:10 and Romans 3:23.
He quotes Romans 3:10 (KJV)- “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one.” And Romans 3:23 (KJV)- “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”
He explains that these verses describe the condition of humanity before Christ, under the old covenant, not the condition of born-again believers. When taken out of context and preached as present-tense identity statements for Christians, they create guilt, shame, and condemnation. He and Pastor Lori confirm that when interpreted correctly, Paul is showing that before Christ, Jews and Gentiles alike were in the same condition—fallen and in need of a Savior. But after faith in Christ, believers are righteous, holy, and glorified through Him.
Transition to Romans 6: Dying to Sin
Pastor Leonard states that to understand righteousness fully, one must turn to Romans chapter 6. Pastor Lori prepares to read from Romans 6:1–10 in the spoken translation. This portion, he explains, shows believers what actually happened when they were united with Christ—how they died to sin and were raised into newness of life.
He explains that these verses describe the condition of humanity before Christ, under the old covenant, not the condition of born-again believers. When taken out of context and preached as present-tense identity statements for Christians, they create guilt, shame, and condemnation. He and Pastor Lori confirm that when interpreted correctly, Paul is showing that before Christ, Jews and Gentiles alike were in the same condition—fallen and in need of a Savior. But after faith in Christ, believers are righteous, holy, and glorified through Him.
Reading Romans 6:1–10 (Spoken Translation)
Pastor Lori reads each verse aloud. Every verse shows the same truth: believers died with Christ, were buried with Him, and were raised with Him. Pastor Leonard pauses and emphasizes verses 2 and 3 especially, highlighting how “How can we who died to sin go on living in it?” shows that believers are dead to sin entirely.
“Do You Not Know?
Pastor Leonard highlights Romans 6:3, where Paul asks, “Do you not know?”
He explains that the early Roman believers—both Jewish and Gentile Christians—were unaware of these truths. Unlike modern Christians, they did not have all of Paul’s writings compiled. They were hearing these truths for the first time. Some translations render Paul’s phrase as “Are you ignorant?” while others say, “Do you not remember?” Both reveal that these believers either never learned or eventually forgot these truths because they were not renewing their minds.
He reminds everyone that renewing the mind is not a one-time event but a continual process.
United With Christ: Dead to Sin, Alive to God
Pastor Leonard explains Paul’s argument: believers died with Christ to sin once and for all. The consequences and fruits of sin—including sickness and disease—are no longer the believer’s portion. Being united with Christ means being raised with Him into newness of life, a life alive to righteousness and alive to God.
He emphasizes repeatedly that this truth only becomes a lived reality when the mind is renewed to it. Without renewal, people continue thinking like those still under Romans 3:10 and Romans 3:23 instead of Romans 8:30.
Newness of Life and the Revelation of God’s Love
When discussing “newness of life,” Pastor Leonard asks Pastor Lori what comes to her mind. She answers: “How loved I am.”
She explains that now she knows she is loved by God just as much as Jesus is loved. Pastor Leonard affirms that this is one of the most important revelations of newness of life.
Lori’s Testimony of Growing Up in Church
Pastor Lori shares that she grew up in church from the age of seven. She asked Jesus into her heart at seven and was baptized at eight. Despite decades in church, she never knew how loved she truly was. She believed God’s love depended on her performance. When she did well, she assumed God loved her more; when she did poorly, she felt God loved her less or was disappointed.
She now rejects that thinking entirely and understands God loves her the same, regardless of her performance—just like He loves Jesus.
Performance-Based Thinking vs. New Covenant Grace
Pastor Leonard explains that the Old Covenant under Moses was performance-based. Blessings and curses depended on behavior. But the Old Covenant is gone, replaced with the New Covenant of Grace through Jesus Christ. In this covenant, Jesus performed perfectly on our behalf, and God is fully satisfied with His sacrifice and obedience.
Pastor Lori adds that she used to think the entire Bible applied to her the same way, never understanding covenant differences. She believed every verse—Old Covenant or New Covenant—was spoken directly to her without distinction. Now she understands that only the New Covenant defines the believer’s identity in Christ.
Righteousness Revealed Through Christ
Pastor Lori shares how the revelation of righteousness transformed her life. For the first time, she understood that she possesses the righteousness of God, because Jesus—who knew no sin—became sin for her. She declares that she cannot be more righteous than the righteousness of God itself.
Pastor Leonard emphasizes this truth using Romans 5:1 (KJV)- “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
He repeats the phrase “being made righteous” several times, reminding everyone that righteousness is a gift, not a reward. It is not based on performance; it is based entirely on Jesus’ performance.
He then references Romans 1:17 (KJV)- “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” He explains that the “just”—meaning the justified, the righteous—live by faith in Christ, not by works. Then he quotes Romans 10:4 (KJV)- “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.”He reminds the audience that righteousness by law has ended. Righteousness through Christ has begun.
Living in Romans 8:30 Instead of Romans 3:23
Pastor Leonard explains that most Christians live as if Romans 3:23 is still their identity. But Paul reveals their true identity later in the letter:
Romans 8:30 (KJV)- “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.” He teaches that believers were not only justified—they were glorified. They must choose which covenant they live under. They can either live in the “before Christ” position of Romans 3:23 or the “after Christ” position of Romans 8:30.
Pastor Leonard notes that believers still struggle with moments of weakness—“blips on the radar screen”—because their minds are not fully renewed. But when that happens, he immediately anchors himself by confessing the truth: “I am righteous. I am justified. I am at peace before God.”
He teaches that sin only has power over people who believe they are sinners. When believers see themselves as righteous, sin loses its grip.
Renewing the Mind: The Process of Transformation
To explain how believers grow into this new way of thinking, Pastor Leonard quotes:
Romans 12:2 (KJV)- “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
He reminds the audience that transformation comes through renewing the mind, not through self-effort or behavioral modification. Renewal reveals the truth of who believers already are in Christ. He notes that many Christians remain trapped in sin-consciousness simply because their minds have not been renewed to righteousness.
Freedom From the Curse Through Christ
When discussing victory over sin, condemnation, and the old covenant, Pastor Leonard quotes:
Galatians 3:13 (KJV)- “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.”
He explains that Jesus died to free believers from every curse of the law, every curse of sin, and every curse of death. Through His sacrifice, believers are fully redeemed and fully free.
Loved and Qualified: Colossians 1:12
Pastor Leonard shares that because believers are righteous and loved, they are automatically qualified for their full inheritance through Christ. He quotes:
Colossians 1:12 (KJV)- “Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light.” He explains that “made us meet” means God qualified us. Believers do not qualify themselves. The Father qualified them through Christ’s love and righteousness.
The Foundation of Trust in God’s Love
Pastor Lori shares how, when difficulties arise or days feel confusing, she always returns to one unshakable foundation: “I trust You, Lord, and I believe in Your love for me.” She explains that standing on the revelation of God’s love and righteousness keeps her stable, peaceful, and grounded.
She says that when believers stay anchored in the certainty of God’s love, all other revelations become easier to receive and understand.
Rooted and Grounded in Love: Ephesians 3
Pastor Leonard connects Pastor Lori’s statement to Paul’s prayer:
Ephesians 3:16-19 (KJV)- “That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 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 fullness of God.”
He explains that when believers become rooted and grounded in God’s love, all the dimensions of Christ’s love begin to unfold in their hearts. This revelation strengthens the inner man and fills believers with the fullness of God.
Holiness and the New Man: Ephesians 4
Pastor Leonard explains that believers are not only loved and righteous—they are also holy and blameless. He quotes:
Ephesians 4:23–24 (KJV)- “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.”
He explains that Paul does not give a list of steps to become holy. Instead, holiness is already the believer’s identity in Christ. The way to “put on” the new man is through renewing the mind, not through performance.
Pastor Lori shares how she used to beg God for a list of steps to become holy—anything she could follow. Eventually, through the Word, she realized holiness was already hers through Christ. Renewing the mind simply awakens believers to this reality.
Believing Unto Righteousness: Romans 10:10
Pastor Leonard quotes:
Romans 10:10 (KJV)- “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
He explains that righteousness begins internally—believing in the heart. But it becomes active and experienced through confession. When believers confess, “I am righteous,” they step into the fullness of what Jesus provided.
Perfect and Complete in Christ
Pastor Leonard shares how he sees his wife as perfect and complete because that is how God describes believers. He emphasizes that perfection and completeness are not earned—they are bestowed in Christ. They rise within believers as they believe the truth about who they are.
He repeats that the only way this perfection becomes visible in a believer’s life is when they renew their minds to the truth already within them.
Saints, Not Sinners: Paul’s Consistent Language
Pastor Leonard notes that Paul calls believers “saints” '40 times in his letters. He also calls them “holy,” “blameless,” and “beloved.” Outside of Romans 3:10 and 3:23—which refer to humanity before Christ—Paul never refers to born-again believers as sinners.
Instead, when Paul speaks about believers’ former condition, he uses phrases like “as some of you formerly were,” making it clear that sin is no longer their identity. He concludes by reminding the audience that believers are one with Christ, fully righteous, fully loved, fully holy, fully justified, and fully glorified. Anything less is old-covenant thinking. The New Covenant reveals ‘the only way to think'.
We pray this detailed article has strengthened your understanding of God’s love, righteousness, and the New Covenant truths revealed through Jesus Christ. If this message blessed you, we encourage you to share it so others can walk in the freedom, joy, and revelation that comes from knowing who they truly are in Christ. May the renewing of your mind continually lead you into the fullness of His grace, peace, and victory.