Living Transformed: Embracing Salvation and Surrender

Summary

Romans 9-12 brings us to the heart of what it means to be a Christian and how that reality should shape our lives. The foundation is clear: salvation is not about our own efforts, religious background, or self-made righteousness. It is about receiving the righteousness of God, which is given as a gift through faith in Jesus Christ. There is no other way to be right with God—no law, no tradition, no amount of zeal can substitute for faith in Christ. The process is simple but profound: confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead. This is the doorway to salvation, and it is available to everyone, regardless of background or past.

But the journey doesn’t end at salvation. Romans 12 lays out what a transformed life looks like. First, it calls for total surrender—an “all-in” mentality where every part of our lives is offered to God as a living sacrifice. This isn’t about self-punishment or religious showmanship, but about a reasonable response to the mercy we’ve received. Next, we are warned not to be molded by the world’s patterns, but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. The real battle is internal, and victory comes as we allow the Holy Spirit to reshape our thinking and behavior.

A healthy Christian life also requires sober self-assessment. We are not to think too highly or too lowly of ourselves, but to see ourselves as God sees us: forgiven, righteous, and part of His family. Our identity is no longer self-defined, but rooted in Christ. This leads naturally to serving others. The church is a body, and each member has a unique role to play. Serving is not just a duty, but a privilege and a blessing, and it’s essential for the health of the whole body.

Finally, we are called to supernatural living—overcoming evil with good. Instead of seeking revenge or responding in kind to those who wrong us, we are to bless, forgive, and trust God with justice. This is not easy, but it is the way of Christ, and it opens the door for repentance and healing, both for us and for those who oppose us.

Key Takeaways

- Salvation is a gift of God’s righteousness, not something we earn or achieve. The only way to be right with God is through faith in Jesus—confessing with our mouth and believing in our heart. This truth levels the playing field for all people, regardless of background, and calls us to share it boldly with others. [07:30]

- The words we speak shape the faith in our hearts. When we confess God’s truth, our hearts are trained to believe it, and this cycle of confession and belief is how faith grows. Waiting for feelings or external proof before speaking faith will leave us stagnant; faith begins with our declaration and is completed as our hearts catch up. [13:19]

- Surrendering to God is a reasonable response to His mercy. True surrender is an “all-in” commitment—offering every part of our lives, not just our Sunday mornings or spare time. This kind of surrender is both dangerous and transformative, as it means nothing is held back from God’s purposes. [24:21]

- The world is constantly trying to mold us, but transformation comes by renewing our minds with God’s truth. The real battle is not external but internal, and victory is found as we allow the Holy Spirit to change our thinking, values, and responses. This process is ongoing and requires intentional cooperation with God. [27:02]

- Supernatural living means overcoming evil with good, even when it’s hard. Instead of seeking revenge or holding onto offense, we trust God to handle justice and choose to bless those who wrong us. This not only protects our hearts but also creates opportunities for repentance and healing in others. [42:02]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:00] - Series Overview and Homework
[02:55] - The Importance of Romans 10:9-10
[07:30] - God’s Righteousness vs. Self-Righteousness
[09:31] - The Word of Faith: Speaking and Believing
[13:19] - The Cycle of Confession and Belief
[16:08] - Faith, Feelings, and Assurance of Salvation
[20:01] - What Does a Christian Look Like?
[24:21] - Surrendering to God: The All-In Life
[27:02] - Not Conformed, But Transformed
[30:53] - Real-Life Example: Renewed Responses
[31:35] - Sober Self-Assessment and Identity in Christ
[35:01] - Serving in the Body of Christ
[39:23] - Supernatural Living: Overcoming Evil with Good
[42:02] - Letting God Handle Justice
[43:39] - Blessing Enemies and the Power of Good

Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide: Romans 9-12 – The Heart of the Christian Life

---

### Bible Reading

- Romans 10:1-13 (Salvation by faith, not works)
- Romans 12:1-2 (A life surrendered and transformed)
- Romans 12:14-21 (Overcoming evil with good)

---

### Observation Questions

1. In Romans 10:9-10, what two actions does Paul say are necessary for salvation? How does the order of “confess with your mouth” and “believe in your heart” matter? [[10:47]]
2. According to Romans 12:1, what does Paul urge believers to do with their bodies, and why does he call this a “reasonable” response? [[24:21]]
3. In Romans 12:2, what are the two commands Paul gives about how we relate to the world and our minds? [[27:02]]
4. In Romans 12:17-21, what are some specific ways Paul says we should respond to people who do us wrong? [[39:23]]

---

### Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Paul emphasize that salvation is not based on our own efforts, background, or religious zeal, but only on faith in Jesus? How does this “level the playing field” for everyone? [[07:30]]
2. The sermon says, “Surrendering to God is a reasonable response to His mercy.” Why is total surrender described as “all-in” and even “dangerous”? What does that look like in real life? [[24:21]]
3. The pastor talks about the world trying to “mold” us and the need for our minds to be renewed. What are some ways the world tries to shape our thinking, and how does the Holy Spirit help us resist that? [[27:02]]
4. Why does Paul instruct believers to overcome evil with good, instead of seeking revenge? What does this reveal about God’s heart and the way of Christ? [[42:02]]

---

### Application Questions

1. The sermon says that “the words we speak shape the faith in our hearts.” Is there an area of your life where you need to start speaking God’s truth, even if you don’t feel it yet? What would that look like this week? [[13:19]]
2. Have you ever struggled with feeling like you need to “earn” God’s approval or salvation? How does understanding salvation as a gift change the way you relate to God and others? [[07:30]]
3. The idea of being “all-in” for God can be intimidating. What is one area of your life that you tend to hold back from God? What would it look like to surrender that area to Him? [[24:21]]
4. The world is always trying to mold us. Can you identify a specific way you’ve felt pressured to think or act like everyone else? How can you intentionally renew your mind with God’s truth this week? [[27:02]]
5. The sermon talks about “sober self-assessment”—not thinking too highly or too lowly of ourselves, but seeing ourselves as God sees us. Is there a lie you believe about yourself that you need to replace with God’s truth? [[31:35]]
6. Serving others is described as both a privilege and a blessing. Are you currently serving in any way in the church or community? If not, what is one practical step you could take to start? [[35:01]]
7. When someone wrongs you, is your first instinct to get even or to trust God with justice? Share a recent situation where you had to choose between revenge and blessing. What did you learn from it? [[42:02]]

---

Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Ask God to help you live out the truths of Romans 9-12: to receive His gift of salvation, surrender fully, renew your mind, serve others, and overcome evil with good.

Devotional

Day 1: Salvation Comes by Confessing and Believing in Jesus
Salvation is not earned by our own efforts or religious rituals, but is a gift from God received through confessing with our mouth that Jesus is Lord and believing in our heart that God raised Him from the dead. This truth is foundational for every Christian: it is not about our own righteousness or keeping the law, but about accepting the righteousness that comes from God through faith in Christ. When you speak out your faith and truly believe in your heart, you are saved—no matter your background, history, or feelings. This is the simple, powerful message that unites all believers and assures us of our place in God's family. [13:19]

Romans 10:9-10 (ESV)
"Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved."

Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the simple message of salvation through confessing and believing in Jesus, and how can you share it with them this week?


Day 2: Surrendering Your Whole Life to God
Being a Christian is not just about a one-time decision; it’s about daily surrender—offering your whole life to God as a living sacrifice. This means adopting an “all-in” mentality, where every part of your life—your time, your talents, your resources, your thoughts, and your actions—belongs to God. It’s a reasonable response to the incredible sacrifice Jesus made for you. True surrender is not about self-punishment or religious show, but about a wholehearted commitment to let God lead every area of your life, holding nothing back. [24:21]

Romans 12:1 (ESV)
"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship."

Reflection: What is one area of your life you have been holding back from God, and what would it look like to surrender it fully to Him today?


Day 3: Renewing Your Mind to Resist the World’s Mold
The world is constantly trying to shape your thoughts, values, and behaviors, but God calls you to be transformed by the renewing of your mind. This transformation happens as you allow the Holy Spirit to change the way you think, replacing old patterns with God’s truth. The battle is not just external, but internal—between your ears. By cooperating with the Spirit and intentionally focusing on God’s Word, you can break free from the world’s mold and discover God’s good, pleasing, and perfect will for your life. [27:02]

Romans 12:2 (ESV)
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

Reflection: What is one thought pattern or belief you need to let go of in order to be transformed by God’s truth, and how can you start renewing your mind in this area?


Day 4: Serving Others as Part of Christ’s Body
Every believer is a vital part of the body of Christ, uniquely gifted to serve and bless others. Serving is not just for a select few, but for everyone who follows Jesus. When you use your gifts to serve others, you experience the joy of belonging and the blessing of being a blessing. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking someone else will do it or that your contribution doesn’t matter—God has given you a role to play, and the church is healthiest when everyone is involved, loving and serving one another. [37:20]

Romans 12:4-6 (ESV)
"For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them..."

Reflection: What is one practical way you can use your gifts to serve someone in your church or community this week?


Day 5: Overcoming Evil with Good through Supernatural Living
Living as a Christian means responding to evil and mistreatment not with revenge or bitterness, but with goodness, blessing, and forgiveness. This supernatural way of living is only possible by God’s power at work in you. When you bless those who persecute you, refuse to repay evil for evil, and trust God with justice, you become a powerful witness of Christ’s love and open the door for others to experience repentance and healing. Overcoming evil with good is not easy, but it is the way of Jesus and the mark of a transformed life. [43:39]

Romans 12:14, 17-21 (ESV)
"Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them... Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.' To the contrary, 'if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

Reflection: Who is someone that has wronged you or is difficult to love, and how can you intentionally bless them or do good to them this week?

Quotes

There is no, I don't care what religion you come from. I don't care where you live on the planet. There is no way to be right with God without Jesus at the center of it and believing in what he did. That's it. The only way to be right with God is to believe on the son. That's it. [00:08:34] (00:00:17 seconds) Edit Clip

For the scripture says, whoever believes on him will not be what? Put to shame. That's right. For there is no distinction between Jew or Greek. Now remember, Paul is attacking the idea that the Jews had this special end to God. He's like, no, no. There's no difference now. Jews or Greeks, we could, we could literally say Jew or Gentile. That's what he was saying. He says, for the same Lord is over all and rich to all who call upon him. Help me out with this last part. For whoever calls upon the name of the Lord, help me out, prove everybody, shall be saved. Period. [00:18:42] (00:00:36 seconds) Edit Clip

Jesus Christ came and died and suffered for you. He redeemed you. He paid the price for you. Isn't it reasonable that you should just offer your life to him? That's the reasonable response. God, if you're willing to sacrifice for me, and I didn't deserve it, and you did all this great stuff, Lord, it's reasonable for me to turn around and go, God, here's my life. Have it. It's yours. [00:23:23] (00:00:25 seconds) Edit Clip

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. The conforming is your mind. The enemy wants you to think like the world, act like the world, focus like the world, do everything like the world does. I'm here to tell you, reject that. [00:27:37] (00:00:17 seconds) Edit Clip

If you want to find the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God, you've got to renew your mind. The battle is not out there. That's already been won. Jesus did it. The battle is now between your ears, and you've got to win that war yourself, praise God. [00:27:58] (00:00:15 seconds) Edit Clip

You're not to say you're that and you're not to say you're that. So what are you? Listen to this, everybody. What are you? Number one, you're a child of God. Do you believe that? Come on. Your sins are forgiven. Yes, they are. You have received imputed righteousness. Yes. You were placed into God's family. Yes, you are. You are in the kingdom of God. The Holy Spirit has entered you physically. The death has been defeated in your life and you have entered into eternal life and you were forever sealed by the Spirit of God. Amen? [00:34:19] (00:00:35 seconds) Edit Clip

You do not have the authority or the right to self-identify. You gave that up when you surrendered. You identify as a Christian, as a believer. You are a believer in Christ. That is your identity now, and that's who you are, because that's whose family you're a part of. [00:35:17] (00:00:19 seconds) Edit Clip