GRACE LED

Table of Contents

1. Introduction: Grace Made Simple
2. Grace Is Jesus Living in Us
3. Romans 8:14 — The Definition of Grace
4. The Rich Meaning of “Led” in the Greek
5. Grace Brings, Carries, and Directs
6. Grace Leads Us to Our Destination
7. The Difference Between Flesh and Spirit
8. Cooperation with Grace Instead of Works
9. The Holy Spirit Influences and Guides the Believer
10. Closing Encouragement and Thanksgiving

Introduction: Grace Made Simple

Pastor Leonard Rola begins the teaching by emphasizing that God never intended His Word to be overly complicated or reserved only for highly educated scholars. He explains that the gospel is meant to be simple enough for ordinary people to understand and receive. He rejects the idea that only intellectuals or theologians can comprehend grace, saying that the message of God was designed for “simple folk.”

He then discusses how many people attempt to define grace through theological phrases such as “God’s unmerited favor,” “God’s supernatural ability,” or “God’s supernatural power.” While acknowledging those phrases, Pastor Leonard explains that for him grace has become much simpler and more personal: grace is Jesus living in him.

He teaches that Jesus has been planted within believers and that the Holy Spirit represents both Jesus and the Father living inside the believer. Christians are now God’s dwelling place and holy temple. Because of this, believers themselves are holy ground.

Grace Is Jesus Living in Us

Pastor Leonard continues by focusing on the indwelling presence of God within believers. He explains that the Holy Spirit is not distant, but actively inhabits Christians as God’s temple. He repeatedly emphasizes that grace is not merely a doctrine but the living activity of Christ in and through the believer.
He highlights how the Apostle Paul gave an incredibly simple definition of grace through a single word found in Romans 8:14.

Romans 8:14 – “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”

According to Pastor Leonard, the key word in this verse is “led.” He explains that this word defines grace, demonstrates what grace does, and reveals how the Holy Spirit works within believers. Grace is not self-effort. Grace is the work and empowerment of the Holy Spirit within us.

Romans 8:14- The Definition of Grace

Pastor Lori reads Romans 8:14 slowly from the New Living Translation while Pastor Leonard explains its significance.

Romans 8:14- “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”

Pastor Leonard explains that if someone is truly a child of God and a temple of the Holy Spirit, then they are already being led by the Spirit. He emphasizes that grace itself is this divine leading. He then explains that many English translations fail to fully communicate how rich the original Greek word for “led” truly is. Pastor Lori begins reading the Greek definitions while Pastor Leonard comments on each meaning.

The Rich Meaning of “Led

Pastor Lori explains that the Greek word translated as “led” is “ago.” The pastors spend significant time unpacking the many shades of meaning connected to this word.
|The meanings include:

• To bring
• To drive
• To induce
• To carry
• To keep
• To lead away
• To take with
• To lead by laying hold of
• To bring to the point of destination
• To accompany
• To conduct
• To guide
• To lead through
• To move
• To impel through forces and influences upon the mind

As each definition is read, Pastor Leonard explains how every meaning reveals another aspect of grace. He explains that grace “brings” believers and “drives” them forward. Grace is not passive. Grace actively moves people toward God’s purposes.

When the term “induce” is mentioned, Pastor Leonard gives a practical example: waking up early to exercise even when he does not feel like it. He describes the Holy Spirit gently prompting and motivating him internally. According to him, this is a grace-inducing and empowering action. When the word “carry” is read, he explains that grace carries believers through situations where they may feel weak or unable to continue. When “lead away” is mentioned, he explains that the Holy Spirit gently leads believers away from harmful situations or wrong environments if they allow Him to.

Grace Brings, Carries, and Directs

Pastor Leonard becomes especially excited about the phrase “take with.” He explains that the Holy Spirit takes believers with Him on the journey God has designed for them. The pastors emphasize that grace is deeply relational. The Holy Spirit is not simply giving commands from a distance but personally accompanying believers every step of the way.

When the definition “lead by laying hold of” is read, Pastor Leonard joyfully describes the image of the Holy Spirit taking hold of a believer and pulling them forward into God’s plans.
The pastors repeatedly stress that this is what grace truly is:

• Grace leads
• Grace carries
• Grace guides
• Grace accompanies
• Grace empowers

Pastor Leonard explains that if believers allow the Holy Spirit to truly be the Holy Spirit in their lives, He will lead them exactly where they need to go. The phrase “to bring to the point of destination” becomes a major focus in the sermon. Pastor Leonard asks listeners where they desire to arrive in life:

• In finances
• In healing
• In spiritual growth
• In purpose

He teaches that the Holy Spirit will faithfully guide believers to their destination.

Grace Leads Us to Our Destination

The pastors continue emphasizing that the Holy Spirit not only leads believers “to” but also “through.”

Pastor Leonard explains that grace is not merely about reaching goals but about the entire journey itself. The Holy Spirit accompanies believers through every challenge, difficulty, and circumstance. The pastors describe the Holy Spirit as an attendant who carefully ensures things unfold according to God’s purpose as believers simply cooperate with Him.

Pastor Leonard then references Paul’s teaching on salvation by grace.

Ephesians 2:8-9 — “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.”

He explains that grace accomplishes the work while believers simply cooperate by faith.

The Difference Between Flesh and Spirit

Pastor Leonard carefully clarifies that he is not against:

• Speaking the Word
• Using spiritual authority
• Commanding situations
• Standing on Scripture

However, he strongly warns against approaching these things as fleshly works that believers think they must perform to earn God's results. He explains that when believers think everything depends on their performance, feelings of guilt, shame, and condemnation begin to dominate their lives whenever they feel they are not doing enough.
The pastors contrast two approaches:

• Fleshly striving
• Spirit-led cooperation

Pastor Leonard explains that when the Holy Spirit leads believers to speak, command, stand, or exercise authority, those actions become works of the Spirit rather than works of the flesh. The Holy Spirit becomes the source, energy, motivation, and empowerment behind those actions.

Cooperation with Grace Instead of Works

Pastor Leonard repeatedly emphasizes that the Christian life is meant to operate through cooperation with grace rather than through religious self-effort.
He explains that grace itself provides:

• The energy
• The movement
• The motivation
• The empowerment
• The guidance

The believer’s role is simply to cooperate with the Spirit’s leading. He again references salvation by grace:
Ephesians 2:8-9 – “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.”

According to Pastor Leonard, the same grace that saves believers is the same grace that leads and empowers daily Christian living. He urges listeners to allow every part of their lives to become an act of the Holy Spirit rather than an exhausting work of the flesh.

The Holy Spirit Influences and Guides the Believer

One of the most important portions of the teaching focuses on the definition describing the Holy Spirit as exerting “forces and influences upon the mind.
”Pastor Leonard explains that the Holy Spirit gently influences believers internally. This influence may lead them to:

• Pray
• Speak in faith
• Stand on Scripture
• Use spiritual authority
• Take action
• Rest
• Move forward

The pastors emphasize that when these actions arise from the Spirit’s influence rather than fleshly pressure, they become expressions of grace rather than religious works. Pastor Leonard summarizes the teaching by repeatedly encouraging believers to: “Be led by the Spirit.”

He explains that grace is the Holy Spirit actively doing the work within believers while they simply cooperate with Him. He returns to the definition: “to bring to the point of destination.” The pastors encourage listeners that the Holy Spirit will faithfully lead them exactly where God intends them to be.

Closing Encouragement and Thanksgiving

In closing, Pastor Leonard encourages listeners to personally study the Greek word for “led” and discover the richness of its meanings for themselves.

The pastors express deep gratitude to those who support their ministry through prayers, cards, notes, letters, and financial gifts. They describe supporters as God’s hands extended toward them. They thank everyone who gives and explain that donations can be made through their ministry website.

Pastor Lori closes with a final encouragement, reminding believers to go forward with confidence knowing that God Himself is leading, guiding, directing, bringing them through difficulties, and bringing them to their destination. She emphasizes once again that the Christian life is not about human effort but about God working within His people.

We hope this article has blessed you and encouraged you to rest in the leading of the Holy Spirit. This teaching reminds us that grace is not human striving, but God Himself working in and through His children. Share this message with others who need encouragement, freedom from guilt and condemnation, and a deeper understanding of what it truly means to be led by the Spirit of God.