Chris Grainger: 1:01

Welcome to the Lion Within Us, a podcast serving Christian men who are hungry to be the leaders God intends you to be. I'm your host, chris Granger. Let's jump in. All right, guys, spiritual kickoff time. Let's get your week started, right? Okay, so we're going to get right into it.

Chris Grainger: 1:14

The scripture of the week this week Matthew 28, verse 19,. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the. So, guys, love, love, love that verse. We're going to see how we can simplify and apply this to our life. Okay, now, again, the whole idea of the spiritual kickoff is to just give you some reflections of how we take this scripture each and every week and move it into action, into our life. If you like this, if you find this encouraging we do it every day, monday through Friday, within our line, within this community I'd encourage you to go get your subscription started now. Just get started. Jump in the 30-day free trial. See what it's all about.

Chris Grainger: 1:57

Okay, all right, now you need to know where is Matthew, so it's the very first gospel. So when you need to know where is where's matthew? So it's the very first gospel. So, when you get to your old testament. The old testament finishes up. There's usually one blank piece of paper and then you get to your new testament. So matthew's the first gospel. We got matthew, martin, luke and john.

Chris Grainger: 2:11

So the very first one, the very last chapter, and this verse really is part of what's known as the great commission, and this is a rally cry for us, fellas. It really is, because we have a, we have a call, each and every one of us, to go out there and share the life-transformation relationship that awaits each and every one of us when we surrender our life to Christ. But it's just not about, when we say, getting disciples. It's not just about preaching, because, yeah, we need to share that for one thing, yes, but it's more about the connection, about the relationship and walking alongside others with their journey of faith. For us at Delilah, we call it the discipleship journey and again, we disciple leaders. That is literally what we do. That's the whole business of Delilah. Within us, we disciple leaders, and it starts with having that relationship.

Chris Grainger: 3:06

Jesus didn't just preach a sermon and move on. No, he invested deeply into a small group of followers. He lived with them, he ate with them, slept with them, they all camped together and he met them right where they were. I love the chosen for that reason, because the chosen just gives a beautiful. Again, it's an artist's depiction of what it would look like, but it's just a great way, a great framework for us to see what that was possibly could have been like traveling along the road with Jesus. He had an intentional time together and he showed us that that is what discipleship starts with that true connection. That's the bridge that allows a meaningful conversation to go from actually just someone who knows each other to actually someone who I want to listen to and be transformed by.

Chris Grainger: 3:57

And Jesus showed us this principle directly. We must be willing to engage in the lives of others. That means we got to take some time, fellas. If you're going to invest in somebody, it's going to take some time. You got to build some trust up right. You got to understand where they're at their struggles. You got to walk through them when they go through some crap as well as when they're on the mountaintop. So look, this could be a co-worker, friend or family member. But intentional relationships is really where discipleship begins.

Chris Grainger: 4:30

And today's culture, when you look across the board, there's so many barriers. You got shame, that's out there. You got isolation, you got busyness. That's out there. That keep people from coming together and it keeps people from making meaningful relationships. I see it in my own life. Most of the guys I want to help they're too busy. Right, they don't want it. We used to have a discipleship group at our church. It doesn't meet anymore. You know why the guys got too busy and it's just a shame, because I know the evil is going to attack. He fooled those guys. So if you address these barriers directly, right, this could be a critical step for seeking to do what the Great Commission called us to do.

Chris Grainger: 5:17

Jesus met people where they were. It could have been Zacchaeus up in a tree or the woman at the well. He met them right there and he engaged with them directly, at their level. He obviously lived with grace and truth. He was extending that love but also challenging that sin, didn't he? He didn't say you know, go. He said no, now sin, no more. No, there's a challenge there. But he lived out authenticity and again he was God. So obviously it's so much, not easier. That's just who he was. But this is reflective in what we should do. We should imitate. We're his disciples, like imitations of the most sincere form of flattery. That's what we're supposed to do Emulate Christ by extending so much grace to others, being vulnerable, being transparent. All right, now.

Chris Grainger: 6:09

Discipleship also something to think about. It's more than just teaching, because this is not like, hey, I'm calling you to go teach this one message, then go on. No, it's an invitation to go to guide others along that relationship, their lifelong journey following Christ. And this is going to take some patience, fellas. I'm telling you, it's going to take some patience as well as intentionality. You're going to have to model this thing. Okay, that's first and foremost. They're going to have to see what that means for you and your actions. Then you're going to have to have some accountability, because that's going to help you and others stay rooted in God's word. At the same time, when you get off track, you're going to have to have some encouragement, because things are going to get off track. You're going to have to be able to lift others up when they feel defeated. You have to remind them of God's promises.

Chris Grainger: 7:00

This happens in my life a lot. I find myself being the one that lifts up others, but I also find myself, more and more recently, I need some others to lift me up, that lion within this community. That's where the guys do it. But the discipleship, fellas, begins with you. It has to begin with you. Examine your own life. Are you investing in relationships with others? Are you walking alongside others? Are you modeling intentionality while being following Christ to others? Because if you're not, they're going to pick up on that inauthenticity and folks just aren't going to gravitate to it. They're just not. You know, it's kind of like the dude that's obese, trying to tell you how to work out. I'm not sure if I'm going to listen to you, bro, I'm just not sure if I'm going to do that.

Chris Grainger: 7:50

But we all have a call and I know there's somebody in your life who needs a connection right now. I know there's someone in your life who God is calling you to disciple and I also want to encourage you to think about this. Start small, reach out to that one guy that maybe it's going to be a little bit easier to have that conversation with. Maybe it's a friend, maybe it's a neighbor or a colleague. Start by listening. Just talk to them, build some trust up and walk with them. Remember Jesus told us, and I'm going to be with you. He walk with them, remember, jesus told us and I'm going to be with you. He always says, and he told us that to the very end of the age he's going to be with us.

Chris Grainger: 8:30

It's not a solo endeavor, boys. It's the work of Christ through us. So follow his example Right and take the time to connect. I mean, discipleship is such a big part again of what God's calling me to, to what he's called the lion within us to do it just in my own personal life as well. If you keep putting these things off and waiting for other people to do it, you're missing your opportunity for you to be that kind of blessing for someone else. I want you to think through right now who has God placed in your life to disciple this week? There's got to be somebody Now.

Chris Grainger: 9:07

The next step is the follow-up question what are you going to do about it? I can't make you want to go disciple someone, but I can, doggone sure, encourage you, challenge you and get your butt out there and do it. We've got enough pew sitters out there. We've got enough, yes, men out there. I know your calendar's busy, I know what all the evil one's trying to tell you, but you don't have the time and he hopes. You keep giving that answer back. You keep giving that answer back. But if you're ready to rebuke that, lean in, send that text, make that phone call today, go out, have a cup of coffee, have a conversation. All right Now for you listeners out there who've never surrendered your life to the Lordship of Jesus. Look, I'm not naive enough to think that everyone who's listening is a believer. There's no way. Okay. But I do know one thing Each and every week, we're going to make a whole lot about Jesus and a whole little about us, because it's all about Christ.

Chris Grainger: 10:01

Literally, this verse is what it's all about. And I need you to recognize one thing to be true you are made in His image. When God formed you, he had this wonderful image made, and what the world does is it twists it and it contorts it to where you don't think it's any good, and you think that, lord man, you screwed up when you made me. I suck, I'm terrible, I'm bad, I'm fat, I'm slow, I'm dumb. All these things, all these things that we think. That ain't the way it is. You're made in the image of God. You're fearfully and wonderfully made, and you need to hear this. Please hear me. It was perfect. Things were perfect when God first formed man, when he made Adam. He breathed the breath of life into his nostrils and he set up. He was face to face with his creator. It was great For like a page and a half in my Bible, maybe two, Because what happened was sin entered the world and when that sin enters, that fractures that relationship between God and man.

Chris Grainger: 10:56

Okay, so you have a holy and righteous God and now you have a sinful nature, man, and there's nothing we can do to close this gap. We try so hard. We try to go to church, we try to help little old ladies across the street. We try to give to charities, we try to be good. All those things right. Are those things inherently good? Yes, I want you to do all that stuff, but the problem is they can't earn your salvation, and that's where we try to go.

Chris Grainger: 11:21

Well, if I could just be good enough, maybe he'll just let me in on good merit. It don't work that way, bro. That's not what Jesus said. Jesus says I am the way, I am the truth, I am the life no one comes to follow except through me. That's it. He is it. That means we have to confess him. So we need to recognize okay, there's nothing we can do to close this gap, no matter how hard we try. We feel like we need a coach. I just had a coach. Make me a little bit better, then I'll close the gap and I'll be good, I'll get in. Surely I can work my. I'm just telling you, bro, that's works-based righteousness and it's wrong. It's just wrong. The problem is the evil. One wants you to think that you're right and I love you enough to tell you the truth that no, you're not. You're mistaken. You don't need a coach to help you better. You need a Savior to come in and do for you what you can't do for yourself In walks.

Chris Grainger: 12:06

Jesus. This is what he offers us. He left heaven on a rescue mission for each and every single one of us. He came to earth, he was born. He's fulfilled all the prophecies, he did all the teachings, the miracles, and then he went to the cross to pay the penalty, the propitiation for our sins, penalty that we can't pay for ourselves. He paid it all and they killed him on the cross. Jesus died. He didn't faint, go to sleep, pass out, nope, he died. They laid him in a tomb. It makes you wonder why don't we just wear black to church every Sunday and like we're going to a funeral Because he ain't there no more. Three days later he overcame death, because we don't worship a dead guy, we worship a living Savior, and that's where we put our hope in, that's where we put our faith in, that's where we put our trust in, and that's what I want you to know. Then he ascended to the Father and he's right there right now.

Chris Grainger: 13:03

And Scripture literally tells us the path to salvation comes through Christ, what he did for us. And it starts with just recognizing this to be true, knowing that you are made in His image, knowing that that relationship is fractured, and then recognizing that you can't do it for yourself. So you need a Savior, so there's a need there. When you actually believe that Jesus is the Son of God, so you just believe it, you admit it, you're turning from your old ways and you're repenting and you're believing in Christ, then you've got to confess him as Lord over your life, and I mean Lord over everything, lord over your finances, your marriage, your parenting, your career, everything. And when you do that I know it's scary, but when you do that something's going to happen. One the old heart's going to a new heart. He's going to give you a whole new revelation. You have the Holy Spirit's going to guide and direct you. The Holy Spirit will give you these prompts and directions and ideas and new thoughts and can be renewing your mind. You're also entering the battle and when you enter the battle you'll have fellow brothers and sisters in Christ coming alongside of you. But you'll have the promise of eternal salvation, eternal life, because you got here.

Chris Grainger: 14:21

Now you got to figure out how you're going to get out of here, because at some point between the birthday and the day you come home to the Lord, that little dash between goes so fast. At some point that dash is going to run out and there's going to be a date there and you know when that date comes, what happens next? What happens next for you? It is my prayer that you surrender your life to Christ, that you confess him as Lord, so that you can be with him in glory forever. That's the best news I have. That's what's changed my life and I hope it will be something that changes yours.

Chris Grainger: 14:52

If you're ready to accept Christ as your Savior, let's just pray together right now. Let's just do it. If I can't accept Christ and listen to a podcast, why not? I'm not sure what the rules are out there, but I'm pretty sure you can accept Christ anywhere If he's prompting you to do something right now. Do not put off what he's calling you to do today. Let's pray it up.

Chris Grainger: 15:10

So, father, thank you for today, for that one listener who is right here making the confession to follow you as Lord and Savior. I just pray you just. You can just be with them, put your hand on them, let them feel your presence. I pray as the Holy Spirit comes and dwells and just starts giving them some confidence, giving them some encouragement, giving them some courage as well, father, to take the next step of obedience, whatever that may be, to just completely surrender your life to your will. So I'm so proud of them. I'm so happy, father, that we were able to take this few minutes to share the good news of the gospel with others, and we pray that this blesses people mindfully, in Christ's name, amen.

Chris Grainger: 15:49

So look, if you just accepted Christ, I want to hear from you, chris, at thelinewithinus. Ok, send me an email because I want to send you some free resources, our Bible study. We have some 10 scriptures that you can help you get started with your discipleship journey and also just reach out and say hi, give you a fist, bump, high five. Let's go Just give you some encouragement along the way and figure out where you're at in the country, because if you need help getting plugged into a good Bible-believing, gospel-preaching church, we want to do that for you. All right, so listen again, chris at TheLineWithin US.

Chris Grainger: 16:18

Come back on Wednesday, by the way, guys, because we're having a really powerful conversation this week. We're going to dive into the deep, deep topic pornography. I don't know Some of you go oh, I don't struggle with pornography. Well, good for you, buttercup. But what we're going to be talking about in this conversation on Wednesday is a program. That's a way for you if, even if you don't struggle with pornography, maybe you've overcome it for you to help other brothers. This is not something we're going to win with a one-size-fits-all program. Don't work that way. No, this is going to take intentional, one-on-one discipleship, iron, sharpening iron to come alongside and help other brothers in Christ improve, learn, defeat, right? This is what we're going to be talking about, right? This is what we're going to be talking about. How can you be transformed after pornography? All right, guys, come back and check us out. Thank you for listening.

Chris Grainger: 17:08

Go to the lion withinus all our resources again. We do the spiritual kickoff every day, monday through friday in the community. So go there, check offerings, all different things from our live events, uh, from the lion within us community, from the summit leadership, all the different ways we support, we serve, we help. It's all right there at alignwithinus. Our free tools are there as well. Guys, go check all that stuff out. We'll see you next time. Thank you again for all the support, for all the listening. Give us a rating and review, if you can. That helps big time. But at the end of the day, boys, you know what's coming. Remember wherever you're at, it's going to unleash the lion within.

Chris Grainger: 17:51

I don't know about you, but I used to find Mondays really rough. I would find myself trying to reset for work, trying to get my bearing on the family calendar, trying to find time for my own spiritual growth and development, and often I found myself overwhelmed or just flatly ignoring aspects of my life that I know are meaningful to me. What I learned was that if I had immediate access to important and impactful spiritual topics and reflections to start my week well after the allure of a Sunday sermon has passed my week well. After the allure of a Sunday sermon has passed, I would set my whole week up to be more meaningful and for the opportunity to make a true impact.

Chris Grainger: 18:29

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