How Saved Are We? Embracing the Spirit’s Power

Devotional

Day 1: Embrace the Fullness of Salvation—Justified, Sanctified, Glorified

Salvation is not just a one-time event but a journey: we are saved, we are being saved, and we will be saved. This means that God’s work in us is both complete in Christ and ongoing as He shapes us to be more like Jesus, with the promise of final glory when all is made new. Understanding this truth helps us live with assurance, hope, and a sense of purpose, knowing that God is at work in every stage of our spiritual life, inviting us to experience the fullness of His presence and power. [30:09]

2 Timothy 1:9 (NIV): "He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time."

Philippians 2:12-13 (NIV): "Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose."

Romans 13:11 (NIV): "And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to trust that God is still at work—saving, shaping, and preparing you for His glory? How can you surrender that area to Him today?

Day 2: Welcome the Holy Spirit—A Relationship, Not a Microchip

The Holy Spirit is not an impersonal force or a spiritual implant, but the very presence of God who desires to dwell in you, guide you, and empower you. Welcoming the Spirit means intentionally inviting Him to take control, listening for His promptings, and responding in faith—even when it feels uncomfortable or unfamiliar. This relationship is dynamic and personal, requiring your openness and willingness to say, “Holy Spirit, you are welcome here. Lead me.” [44:10]

Romans 8:9-11 (NIV): "You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you."

Reflection: What is one practical way you can intentionally welcome the Holy Spirit into your day—perhaps by pausing to ask, “Holy Spirit, what do you want to say or do through me right now?”

Day 3: Set Your Mind on the Spirit—The Stakes Are High

Living by the Spirit is not optional for a vibrant Christian life; it is essential. The mindset you choose—whether on the flesh or the Spirit—determines the direction and quality of your life. The Spirit has desires for you, and setting your mind on Him leads to life and peace, while following the flesh leads to frustration and spiritual death. The choice is daily and deliberate: will you feed the Spirit or the flesh? [46:22]

Romans 8:5-8 (NIV): "Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God."

Reflection: What is one thought pattern or habit you need to surrender to the Spirit today, so that your mind is set on what He desires rather than on your own concerns?

Day 4: Live From Your True Identity—Children and Heirs of God

The Spirit not only empowers you but also assures you of your true identity as God’s beloved child. When you live from this identity, you are free from fear, striving, and the need to prove yourself. The Spirit testifies with your spirit that you are God’s child, able to cry out “Abba, Father,” and to rest in the security of being an heir with Christ. Let this truth sink deep into your heart, shaping how you see yourself and how you live each day. [57:28]

Romans 8:14-17 (NIV): "For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, 'Abba, Father.' The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory."

Reflection: Where are you tempted to live for an identity rather than from your identity in Christ? How can you remind yourself today that you are God’s beloved child?

Day 5: The Spirit Helps in Our Weakness—No Suffering Unused, No Prayer Unheard

When life doesn’t go according to plan and you feel weak or uncertain, the Holy Spirit intercedes for you, translating your deepest groans and longings to the Father. God works in all things—good and bad—to shape you into the likeness of Jesus and to bring about His good purposes. You are never alone, never unheard, and never unloved; even your suffering is not wasted but redeemed by God’s Spirit at work within you. [01:00:21]

Romans 8:26-28 (NIV): "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

Reflection: What is one area of weakness, pain, or confusion you need to bring honestly before God today, trusting the Spirit to intercede and to work for your good?

Sermon Summary

Today, we gathered to remember and proclaim the many names of our God—Strong Tower, Light of the World, Redeemer, Friend, and so many more. Each name reveals a facet of His character, inviting us to trust Him more deeply, especially in seasons of need or uncertainty. As we prayed for those in our community, both present and distant, we were reminded that God’s presence is not limited by location or circumstance. When we gather, we are not just a social club or a history lesson; we are the people of the living God, and He is enthroned among us to receive our worship, teach us, and bestow His blessings.

We explored the profound truth of salvation as described by Paul: we are saved, we are being saved, and we will be saved. This journey is not just about a ticket to heaven, but about living in the fullness of what Christ has accomplished for us. Justification is the moment we are made right with God through faith in Jesus. Sanctification is the ongoing work of the Spirit, conforming us to the likeness of Christ. Glorification is the final completion of our salvation when we are fully in His presence. Like the story of Omar on the airplane, many of us settle for less than what God has provided, not realizing we are invited to a life empowered by the Spirit.

The Spirit is not an impersonal force or a microchip implanted in us; He is a person to be welcomed, a relationship to be embraced. We must intentionally say yes to the Spirit—first in receiving Him, then in continually yielding more of our lives to His control. The stakes are high: to live by the flesh is to miss out on the life and peace the Spirit brings. Our minds must be set, governed, and fed by the things of the Spirit, not the fleeting desires of self.

We have an obligation, not to the flesh, but to the Spirit—to put to death the misdeeds of the body and to steward the gift of the Spirit well. Our true identity is found not in striving for approval or crafting our own image, but in living from the reality that we are beloved children of God, heirs with Christ. Even when life punches us in the face and our plans unravel, the Spirit intercedes for us, ensuring that no prayer goes unheard and no suffering is wasted. In all things, God works for our good, shaping us into the image of His Son. We are never alone, never unheard, never unloved, and never without hope of redemption.

Key Takeaways

1. Welcome the Person of the Holy Spirit The Holy Spirit is not an abstract force but a person to be intentionally welcomed into every area of our lives. This relationship is not automatic; it requires our invitation and surrender. When we open ourselves to the Spirit, we experience His guidance, comfort, and transformative power in ways that mere self-effort could never achieve. [44:10]
2. The Stakes Are High: Mindset Matters Our lives are shaped by what governs our minds—either the flesh or the Spirit. There is no neutral ground; to set our minds on the flesh leads to death, but the mind governed by the Spirit brings life and peace. This is not a peripheral issue but central to our walk with God, determining whether we live in frustration or in the fullness of His presence. [46:22]
3. Steward the Gift: Put to Death the Flesh We have an obligation to steward the gift of the Spirit by actively putting to death the misdeeds of the body. This is not about willpower alone, but about relying on the Spirit’s power to break patterns that keep us from freedom. The one we feed—flesh or Spirit—will determine the trajectory of our lives. [52:35]
4. Live From, Not For, Your Identity If we do not know our true identity as God’s beloved children, we will spend our lives striving to earn or prove it. The Spirit assures us that we are adopted, loved, and heirs with Christ. Living from this identity brings rest, security, and the freedom to love others without fear or pretense. [56:56]
5. The Spirit Redeems Every Weakness and Wound When life does not go according to plan and we are at a loss for words, the Spirit intercedes for us and works even our pain for good. No prayer is wasted, and no suffering is left unused; God’s Spirit is always at work, shaping us into the likeness of Christ and ensuring that nothing can separate us from His love. [60:21]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[07:19] - Praying the Names of God
[08:28] - Lifting Up Our Community
[24:36] - Entering God’s Presence Together
[25:47] - Announcements: Prayer Center & Young Adults
[28:05] - How Saved Are We? (Romans 8)
[29:45] - The Fullness of Salvation
[32:03] - Justification, Sanctification, Glorification
[34:26] - Saying Yes to Jesus and the Spirit
[37:57] - Reading Romans 8:1-4
[39:34] - Jesus as Our Sin Offering
[41:13] - In Christ and Christ in Us
[43:38] - Welcoming the Holy Spirit
[45:34] - The Stakes of Mindset
[50:26] - Our Obligation: Choices and Stewardship
[54:11] - Feeding the Spirit or the Flesh
[56:56] - Living From Our True Identity
[59:39] - When Life Punches Back: The Spirit’s Help
[62:36] - Never Alone, Unheard, or Unloved
[63:32] - The Gospel Gives Us Wings
[64:20] - Responding to the Spirit’s Invitation
[70:20] - Prayers of Surrender and Fresh Filling

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

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### Bible Reading

Romans 8:1-17 (NIV)
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.
You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.
Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

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### Observation Questions

According to Romans 8:1-4, what has Christ accomplished for us, and what is the result for those who are “in Christ Jesus”?
In the sermon, what are some of the names of God that were mentioned, and why is it important to remember them? [[07:19]]
What does Paul say about the difference between living according to the flesh and living according to the Spirit in Romans 8:5-8?
What does the sermon say about the Holy Spirit being a person rather than an impersonal force? [[44:10]]

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### Interpretation Questions

The sermon describes salvation as a journey with three parts: justification, sanctification, and glorification. How does understanding salvation this way affect how someone lives day to day? [[32:03]]
The pastor said, “The stakes are high: to live by the flesh is to miss out on the life and peace the Spirit brings.” What does it look like in real life to have your mind set on the flesh versus the Spirit? [[46:22]]
The sermon emphasized that the Holy Spirit must be intentionally welcomed and not just assumed. Why might someone hesitate to welcome the Holy Spirit, and what are the consequences of not doing so? [[44:10]]
According to Romans 8:14-17 and the sermon, how does the Spirit help us understand our true identity as children of God? [[56:56]]

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### Application Questions

The sermon said, “The Holy Spirit is not an abstract force but a person to be intentionally welcomed into every area of our lives.” Is there an area of your life where you have not invited the Holy Spirit to lead? What would it look like to welcome Him there this week? [[44:10]]
The pastor shared that “our lives are shaped by what governs our minds—either the flesh or the Spirit.” What are some practical ways you can set your mind on the things of the Spirit instead of the flesh this week? Are there specific habits, media, or relationships that feed your flesh more than your spirit? [[46:22]]
The sermon talked about “putting to death the misdeeds of the body.” Is there a pattern or behavior in your life that you have been tolerating instead of surrendering to the Spirit? What step could you take to address it with God’s help? [[52:35]]
The pastor said, “If we do not know our true identity as God’s beloved children, we will spend our lives striving to earn or prove it.” In what ways do you find yourself striving for approval or trying to prove your worth? How can you remind yourself this week that you are already loved and accepted by God? [[56:56]]
The sermon reminded us that “when life punches us in the face and our plans unravel, the Spirit intercedes for us.” Can you share a time when you felt weak or didn’t know how to pray? How did you experience God’s help or presence in that moment? [[01:00:21]]
The pastor used the story of Omar on the airplane to illustrate that many Christians settle for less than what God has provided. Are there areas in your spiritual life where you feel like you are “sitting in the back of the plane” instead of living in the fullness of what Christ has accomplished? What might it look like to step into more of what God has for you? [[29:45]]
The sermon said, “No prayer is wasted, and no suffering is left unused; God’s Spirit is always at work, shaping us into the likeness of Christ.” How does this truth change the way you view your current struggles or unanswered prayers? [[01:00:21]]

Sermon Clips

We are saved. If you have trusted in Jesus Christ, you are being saved. And you will be saved. When Jesus comes again, there will be a time of distinguishing between the sheep and the goats. And there will be that moment in which things are set. And you will be saved. I say that because this is the language of the Apostle Paul, who writes all three of these statements. [00:30:13] (23 seconds) #SavedAndSecure

The Holy Spirit is a gentleman. The Holy Spirit is not something like a microchip that is just implanted in us. It's a relationship. And we need to say yes to him. And so I want to be clear that not only have you said yes to Jesus, but have you truly said yes to the Spirit? Spirit, control me. Spirit, lead me. And the final yes is going to be yes to more of the Spirit. [00:34:44] (29 seconds) #WelcomeTheSpirit

When Jesus saves us, he doesn't just buy our ticket. He gives us pocket money. He gives us the ability to live victorious and accomplish the things he wants us to accomplish. At the end of Romans 8, it's going to say, If the one who gave us Jesus for the salvation of our souls, will he not give us all things? [00:37:20] (28 seconds) #VictoryInChrist

One is describing the sin offering. That Jesus became a sin offering. We all need a sin offering. All of us have a debt that we cannot pay. And so we need a sin offering. Jesus' righteousness is that sin offering. Jesus was without sin. He didn't have to pay for his own sin. And so he was able to give his life as a sin offering. And we're able to receive his righteousness as a replacement, as an exchange. [00:39:19] (31 seconds) #SinOfferingExchange

I want you to recognize the person of the Holy Spirit. And I want you to welcome him. This is not, as I said, a microchip implanted. This is a person that is made available to you. But you need to welcome him. He can be accessible to you. And maybe at some level he can be at work around you. But are you welcoming him to take control of your life? [00:43:51] (33 seconds) #IntentionalSpirit

Which one's going to live in your life? The spirit or the flesh? It's the one you set your mind on. It's the one you feed. And the feeding doesn't have to be. Of course, it is being in the word of God. But it doesn't have to be exclusively that. But think about what you feed yourself. Think about what you're allowing to enter into your being. [00:54:11] (31 seconds) #NeverAloneInChrist

Either I will live from my identity of who Christ says I am or I will live for an identity. So Paul tells us here that one of the things the spirit does that is helping us in this journey, part of our pocket money, is this idea of knowing our identity. For those who are led by the spirit of God are children of God. [00:56:38] (21 seconds)

But what about when life punches us in the face? Where's our plan? So Paul says, the Spirit helps us when we're punched in the face. The Spirit helps us. Not only is there this plan, but when things don't go according to plan. Because I would say 99.8% of us here, things are not going exactly to plan. The Spirit helps us in our weakness. [00:59:54] (29 seconds)

No prayer goes unheard. No prayer that is true and honest goes unheeded. The Holy Spirit is listening, and the Holy Spirit will take it and will communicate it to the Father. And the Father will know your heart, even if the words didn't come out right. Not only can we say that no prayer will go unheard, but then I want you to know also that no punch in the face will go unredeemed if you allow the Spirit to work. [01:01:05] (34 seconds)

So I want you to know you are never alone. Not only are you in Christ, but Christ is in you. You are never unheard. The Spirit hears even your imperfect prayers. You are never unloved. Nothing can separate you from the love of Christ. And never is your suffering unused. God will use it to bring Himself glory and to shape you more and more into Jesus. [01:02:24] (38 seconds)

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