Teaching summary
In “WHAT WE ALREADY HAVE,” Pastors Leonard and Lori Rola bring clarity to a common misunderstanding about healing and faith. They teach that 1 Peter 2:24 speaks primarily about spiritual healing—our reconciliation with God through Christ—rather than physical healing. The message encourages believers to rest in God’s love and recognize the truth of what they already possess: a new spirit, the very nature and character of Christ, and His resurrection power within. By renewing our minds to these truths, we can experience real freedom from guilt, shame, and condemnation.
Bible verses referenced
1 Peter 2:23–25- “Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.”
2 Corinthians 5:17- “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
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.”
Ephesians 2:5-6- “Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”
Colossians 2:10- “And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power.”
Colossians 2:12-13- “Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses.”
1 Corinthians 6:17- “But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.”
Romans 8:32- “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?”
1 John 4:17- “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.”
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.”
Ephesians 1:19–21- “And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come.”
Philippians 4:13- “I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me.”
2 Corinthians 1:21- “Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God.”
Teaching notes
Table of Contents
- Introduction: Gratitude and Purpose
- Revisiting the Previous Message
- Understanding “You Already Have It”
- Hermeneutics and Context in Scripture
- Examining 1 Peter 2:23–25
- Spiritual Healing vs. Physical Healing
- Pastor Lori’s Healing Testimony
- The Truth of What We Already Have
- A. We Have a New Spirit
- B. We Have His Nature and Character
- C. We Have His Power
- Renewing the Mind and Living from Revelation
- Closing Encouragement
Introduction: Gratitude and Purpose
Pastors Leonard and Lori open by expressing heartfelt thanks to their listeners and supporters. They mention their ministry reaching people through YouTube, Facebook, their website, and the Now Television Network. They thank those who send messages and support financially, calling them “God’s hand extended.” Pastor Leonard emphasizes that their mission continues because of the generosity and prayers of their supporters.
Their joy is clear—they love sharing the Word of God and seeing lives transformed by the gospel of grace.
Revisiting the Previous Message
The pastors remind viewers that their last teaching was titled “You Already Have It,” a message filled with rich revelation. In this session, they slow down to unpack that teaching further, providing illumination and clarity for deeper understanding. Pastor Leonard notes that the phrase “You already have it?” ends with question marks—because it’s vital to know what the “it” really refers to.
Understanding “You Already Have It
The pastors explain that this teaching is centered on healing. Many believers have been taught that physical healing is something they “already have,” based on 1 Peter 2:24 — “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree… by whose stripes ye were healed.”
While affirming that healing is indeed God’s will, Pastor Leonard points out that this passage has often been misunderstood. A mentor once told him, “If a text is taken out of context, you’re left with a con.” Misreading scripture has caused many believers to feel guilt, shame, and condemnation—feelings God never intended.
Hermeneutics and Context in Scripture
Pastor Leonard and Pastor Lori stress the importance of hermeneutics—the method of properly interpreting Scripture. Pastor Lori explains that when Peter or Paul wrote letters, they did not insert chapters or verses. These divisions were added later to help reference passages, but taking single verses out of their full context can distort meaning.
They illustrate with a modern example: a text message written in all caps might be misunderstood as shouting. In the same way, isolated verses can be misread without context. Proper understanding requires reading the entire passage to know who wrote it, to whom it was written, and what issue was being addressed.
Examining 1 Peter 2:23–25
Pastor Leonard reads 1 Peter 2:23–25 in full:
“Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again… by whose stripes ye were healed… For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.”
He explains that verses 23 and 25 clearly refer to the cross and spiritual reconciliation. Jesus presented Himself as a sacrifice to the Father, who judged Him righteous. Because of this offering, believers are declared righteous. Therefore, the healing mentioned here refers to spiritual healing—the restoration of relationship between God and man.
Spiritual Healing vs. Physical Healing
The pastors clarify that the “healing” in 1 Peter 2:24 is not about physical sickness but about reconciliation. They reference Vine’s Expository Dictionary and Strong’s Concordance, both of which interpret the word “healed” here as figurative of spiritual healing.
This spiritual healing removes guilt, shame, and condemnation caused by sin. It restores unity with God—the kind of healing that mends the soul. As Pastor Leonard says, “Now we’re friends again. Now we’re united with Him as one.”
Pastor Lori’s Healing Testimony
Pastor Leonard shares Pastor Lori’s personal story of suffering from colonic inertia, a painful condition that caused her severe discomfort. For years, she declared, “I’m healed,” because she was taught to speak that way even while suffering. Pastor Leonard admits it was painful to hear her say this while knowing the agony she endured.
He stresses that it’s not wrong to say, “I’m believing God for complete healing, but right now I’m hurting.” This honest faith does not cancel belief. Legalistic thinking has often shamed believers into silence, but God desires truth and rest, not pressure or guilt.
The Truth of What We Already Have
Pastor Leonard transitions to explain what believers truly already have. It’s not a denial of reality, but an acknowledgment of spiritual truth.
A. We Have a New Spirit
He reads 2 Corinthians 5:17 — “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
Our spirits have been made new. The “earth suit” (our body) and our soul (mind, will, emotions) still need renewal, but the spirit is already perfect and one with God. This is the “it” we already have—a new inner man from which God’s power flows.
He connects this to 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.”
Believers are united with Christ in His death to sin and raised with Him in resurrection life.
Then, Ephesians 2:5–6 reinforces the truth: “Even when we were dead in sins… hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”
This shows the completeness of spiritual healing—made alive, raised, and seated with Christ.
He adds Colossians 2:10 13, reminding that “ye are complete in him… Buried with him in baptism… and you, being dead in your sins… hath he quickened together with him.”
This proves that believers are spiritually whole and forgiven.
B. We Have His Nature and Character
Next, Pastor Leonard explains that we possess Christ’s very nature and character.
1 Corinthians 6:17 declares: “But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.”
Our union with Christ means we share His essence.
Romans 8:32 continues this truth: “He that spared not his own Son… how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?”
Because of this union, everything Christ has, we share.
1 John 4:17 confirms it: “Because as he is, so are we in this world.”
Spiritually, believers are identical in nature to Christ—holy, righteous, and complete.
C. We Have His Power
Finally, Pastor Leonard describes the power believers already have within them.
Romans 8:11 states: “But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you… shall also quicken your mortal bodies.”
This resurrection power lives inside us, revitalizing and renewing our bodies.
Ephesians 1:19–21 proclaims: “What is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe… Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead… Far above all principality and power.”
Philippians 4:13 affirms the same reality: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
And 2 Corinthians 1:21 declares: “Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God.”
These verses reveal that believers are not powerless—they are anointed, established, and equipped with divine strength.
Renewing the Mind and Living from Revelation
Pastor Lori shares that she wishes she had understood this truth earlier. The more her mind renewed to God’s love and righteousness, the more healing and freedom manifested in her body. Pastor Leonard illustrates this moment as “Wham!”—the instant when revelation flows from the spirit through the renewed mind into the body.
This process—renewing the mind to align with spiritual truth—allows the power already within us to flow freely into every part of our lives.
Closing Encouragement
Pastor Leonard concludes that believers already have new spirits, Christ’s character, and His resurrection power. The next teaching will explain how this power is released—without guilt, shame, or condemnation. Pastor Lori closes by encouraging everyone to seek revelation and rest in God’s love, saying, “When I got it, the freedom and excitement were beyond words.”
They end by praying that every listener receives this revelation of who they already are in Christ.
We hope this article has blessed you and brought greater understanding of what Christ has already given you. Share this teaching with others so they, too, may discover the freedom, love, and power found in the gospel of grace.