Episode Summary: Why You Need God’s Power

Church of the Highlands - Sunday Messages - March 8, 2026

Overview

In this compelling message, the speaker (presumably Pastor Chris Hodges) continues a six-part teaching series on Romans chapter 8, focusing on verses 5-13. The central theme is the essential role of God's power—through the Holy Spirit—in transforming and enlivening the life of every believer. The sermon addresses why many Christians aren’t experiencing the fullness of resurrection life promised in the gospel and provides practical steps to cultivate a vibrant, Spirit-empowered daily walk.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Romans 8 and Preparing for Easter

• The church is studying Romans 8 verse-by-verse in anticipation of Easter (00:30).
• Romans 8 is described as “the single best chapter in the entire Bible that entirely explains the Christian faith.”
• There's an encouragement for church members to invite non-believers to Easter services, not just to tell but to participate and accompany them (04:30).

2. Identifying the Problem: Accessing Resurrection Power

• Focus on Romans 8:11:

  “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you...”

  • The word “if” is highlighted—implying this resurrection power is not automatically active in everyone, even believers (08:20).
• Many Christians know they have the Holy Spirit but do not experience His power; He is “inhabited but not active” (09:14).
• "Think about the places in your life that are either dead or dying... The Bible's saying you might not be receiving it because the spirit's not alive on the inside of you. Like, there's a missing component.” (10:00)

3. Understanding the Holy Spirit’s Role

• The Trinity is explained:
  • God the Son saves us (Jesus’s sacrifice).
  • God the Father loves us—desires a close, loving relationship.
  • God the Holy Spirit: "May the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all" (2 Corinthians 13:14; 15:40).
• The Holy Spirit is the member of the Trinity present on Earth today for daily interactive relationship (16:30).
  • “You're not fellowshipping enough with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is with us... supposed to be this interactive, close relationship on a daily basis.” (17:15)
• Lacking fellowship with the Holy Spirit means missing resurrection power in “dead” life areas (18:45).

4. The Barrier: Life According to the Flesh

• Romans 8:5-8: The “flesh” represents our human tendencies that interfere with spiritual life (19:30).
• “There’s a human side that's interacting with your spiritual experience.”
  • Differentiation between the “mind set on the flesh” and “mind set on the Spirit.”
• Paul identifies a threefold categorization (23:25):
  1. Unspiritual person (psuchikos): No discernment of spiritual things.
  2. Spiritual person: Life “makes sense;” has “the mind of Christ.”
  3. Worldly/Carnal person: Believer with too much of the world still inside—“Christian con carne” (25:40).
     • “We're a Christian con carne going on out there.” (Fun moment at 28:45)
  • This worldliness blocks fellowship with the Holy Spirit and resurrection life (29:30).

5. The Battle Within: Flesh vs. Spirit

• Galatians 5:17 emphasizes the ongoing internal conflict:

  “For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh...” (31:00)

• Regular attendance to church creates a “peak” of spiritual connection, but it often diminishes during the week due to daily life pressures (32:15).
• "How do we actually live a life that never breaks fellowship with the Holy Spirit?" (34:40)

6. Practices for a Spirit-Empowered Life

The sermon pivots to practical application:

a. Cultivate His Presence (38:10)

• It’s not just for Sunday worship:

  “We've got to get to the place…where we are now, walking with the Spirit…we will not gratify the desires of our flesh.” (Gal 5:16)

• Personal reflection: “How’s your closeness with God…on Thursday?...on Friday night?” (39:20)
• Story: Father-daughter camp—a parable about always listening for the Father’s voice even when feeling lost (41:30).
  • Notable quote:

    "Dad, are you still there?...Baby, I’ve always been here. I was just waiting for you to talk to me." (43:20)

  • Application: God is always close and waiting for us to turn to Him, not angry at our neglect.

b. Learn to Listen to His Voice (47:00)

• You learn someone’s voice by familiarity and regular interaction.
  • “God’s a speaking God, and He’s talking to you a whole lot more than you think.” (47:40)
• Humor: Boudreaux joke about hearing—“We think God’s the problem, and we’re the one with the problem.” (50:00)
• The Holy Spirit speaks to:
  • Encourage: “You are my child and I am so proud of you…God's not mad at you. In fact, if God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it right now." (Romans 8:16, 53:30)
  • Warn: “Don’t send that…You better end that secret. It’s not gonna turn out well.” (Acts 16, 56:00)
  • Guide: “Compelled by the Spirit…” (Acts 20)
  • Prompt Obedience: Story of the Holy Spirit instructing to call and reconcile with a friend (59:00)
  • Give Vision and Dreams: “The language of the Holy Spirit is vision.” (Acts 2, 01:01:10)

c. Honor His Presence (01:04:20)

• The Holy Spirit is described as sensitive:

  “He only operates in a place where He feels welcomed.” (01:04:35)

• Practical outworking:
  • Romans 8:12-13—"We have an obligation...to the Spirit."
  • “Stop offending Him…The Holy Spirit will operate in our lives where He’s made welcome.”
  • Biblical cautions: “Don’t grieve the Holy Spirit” (Eph 4:30); “Don’t quench” (1 Thess 5:19).
• The degree to which we honor and make room for the Spirit, we experience His guidance, encouragement, correction, and resurrection power.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Resurrection Power:

  "The same power that it took to get Jesus out of that grave... that same power is available, the Bible says, to bring to life your mortal bodies." (09:44)

• On Carnal Christianity:

  "We got some Christian con carne going on out there... we're a Christian con carne... you're still going to heaven, but there's just too much of the world in us." (28:45)

• On God’s Nearness:

  "God’s not mad at you for not having time with Him every day. He’s still right there with you, just waiting for you to talk to Him and say, 'Father, are you still there?' And he’s gonna say, 'Oh, yes, I am.'" (43:25)

• On Recognizing God’s Voice:

  "God’s a speaking God, and He’s talking to you a whole lot more than you think... My sheep know my voice..." (47:40)

• On the Holy Spirit’s Sensitivity:

  “The Holy Spirit literally will operate in our lives where He’s made welcome.” (01:05:20)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Romans 8 series intro / Invitation to Easter: 00:00–05:30
• Explaining Romans 8:11 and the role of resurrection power: 08:20–12:15
• Trinity: function and focus on the Holy Spirit: 15:40–18:45
• Problem: The flesh blocks fellowship with the Spirit: 19:30–23:00
• Unspiritual / Spiritual / Carnal Christianity: 23:25–29:30
• The war within: Galatians 5 and practical struggle: 31:00–32:15
• How spiritual highs fade in the week: 32:15–34:40
• Practical steps: Cultivate presence: 38:10–45:30
• Father-daughter camp story (God’s nearness): 41:30–45:00
• Learning to listen to the Spirit: 47:00–53:30
• “God’s not mad at you” encouragement: 53:30–54:10
• Obedience to the Spirit / Reconciliation story: 59:00–01:01:00
• Honor the Spirit’s presence: 01:04:20–01:06:10
• Closing prayer and invitation to salvation: 01:07:00–end

Practical Takeaways

• Daily Connection with the Holy Spirit—Not just Sunday worship.
• Discipline Your Mind to be “governed by the Spirit”—intentionally refocus throughout the week.
• Recognize and Respond to the Spirit’s voice—in encouragement, conviction, direction, and calling.
• Honor the Spirit by making space for Him in your life and turning away from “fleshly” distractions.

For Listeners to Remember

“God wants to bring resurrection to every dead area of your life by His Holy Spirit. But for this to happen, daily cultivation, listening, and honoring of His presence is essential—not just in church, but all week long.”

If you missed this message, revisit Romans 8:5-13 and invite the Holy Spirit to be fully alive in you—today and every day.