Help Us Spread The Word – Please Share Our Site with Others and Consider Giving
New Life Ministry Church
Back to archive

New Life Ministry teaching

LED BY THE SPIRIT

June 30, 2025

Please Share This Page with a Friend

Teaching summary

This message by Pastors Leonard and Lori Rola emphasizes the importance of being led by the Holy Spirit in every aspect of life. Pastor Leonard shares personal experiences, including early morning prayer walks, to illustrate how God's voice leads us step by step. The sermon explores scriptural truths that affirm the Holy Spirit's role as our Comforter, guide, and teacher who leads us into a deeper relationship and fullness of life. Being led means allowing God to lead, bring, carry, drive, and guide us into the abundant life Jesus promised. The message closes with encouragement to cooperate with the Spirit for the best life, not just a good one.

Bible verses referenced

  • John 14:16-17: "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you."

  • John 10:4-5: "And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers."

  • Romans 8:9: "But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his."

  • Romans 8:14: "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God."

  • Colossians 1:13: "Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son."

  • Romans 10:9-10: "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."

Teaching notes

Table of Contents

  1. A Walk with the Spirit: The Birth of the Message
  2. Learning to Follow His Steps
  3. Don’t Settle for a Good Life
  4. The Promise of the Comforter (John 14)
  5. Knowing His Voice (John 10)
  6. You Are in the Spirit (Romans 8)
  7. What It Means to Be Led
  8. Practical Examples and Testimonies
  9. The Final Key: Cooperation with the Spirit
  10. Communion and Closing Reflections

A Walk with the Spirit: The Birth of the Message

Pastor Leonard shares how the message came to him during early morning walks. What began as a routine turned into a spiritual encounter. Even walking in the rain, he experienced joy and intimacy with the Lord. One morning, he felt the Spirit say, "I want to take a walk, but I can’t unless I use your body." This humorous yet profound moment birthed a deeper awareness of God's daily invitation to be led.

Learning to Follow His Steps

During a long walk, Pastor Leonard felt overwhelmed by how far his turnaround point was. The Spirit said, “Just look at what’s right in front of you.” As he obeyed, he realized he arrived without anxiety, just by taking the next step. This reflects our journey of faith: walking by the Spirit, not by sight.

Don’t Settle for a Good Life

Pastor Leonard testifies to a good life: a loving wife, great children, strong ministry, and more. But he warns that settling for "good" can hinder us from receiving God's "best." The key to stepping into the best life is being led by the Spirit into the fullness of God's promises.

The Promise of the Comforter (John 14)

John 14:16-17: "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you."

Jesus promised the Holy Spirit, one just like Him. The Spirit is our constant companion, and recognizing His presence makes it easier to follow His leading.

Knowing His Voice (John 10)

John 10:4-5: "And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers."

Jesus assures us we can know His voice. True sheep do not follow the voice of strangers—voices opposed to the Spirit. Pastor Leonard notes how we can grow too familiar with other voices, but God’s voice is always speaking if we are willing to listen.

You Are in the Spirit (Romans 8)

Romans 8:9: "But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his."

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

Believers are not in the flesh but in the Spirit. Being led by the Spirit is evidence of being God’s true child. The Mirror Study Bible expands on this to show that we’re no longer ruled by sense-based living, but by spiritual consciousness.

What It Means to Be Led

Pastor Leonard unpacks the Greek word for "led" (ago), which includes:

  • To lead

  • To bring

  • To drive

  • To induce

  • To carry

  • To keep

  • To lead away

Each of these words was explored:

  • Lead: Like a conductor, the Spirit guides us in every moment.

  • Bring: He brings us into the kingdom realm.

  • Drive: He inspires and motivates us.

  • Carry: When we can’t move forward, He carries us.

  • Lead Away: He pulls us from bad choices and harmful paths.

Colossians 1:13: "Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son."

Practical Examples and Testimonies

Pastor Leonard shared stories from his life, including visits to Bert’s Hideout and community outreach. New cars, business cards, and local evangelism are tools for Spirit-led outreach. Even physical health improvements from morning walks were framed as part of God’s leading.

The Final Key: Cooperation with the Spirit

To be led, we must cooperate. God honors our free will, but He also honors Jesus’ finished work when we align with the Spirit’s will. Pastor Leonard says, “I don’t want a good life. I want the best life.”

Romans 10:9-10: "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."

Communion and Closing Reflections

Pastor Lori led the congregation in communion, reading Psalm 139 from the Living Bible. She affirmed God’s ever-present guidance and how it connects to being led by the Spirit. Pastor Leonard echoed this with encouragement for joy-filled, Spirit-led Christian living.

We hope this article has blessed you. Share this teaching with someone who desires to grow in walking with the Spirit. Remember, the best life is available when we choose to follow His leading daily. Be led, be loved, and be blessed!