Speaker 1: 0:53

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, it's your spiritual kickoff episode. Let's get into it, okay? So the scripture of the week this week is in the book of Galatians, the sixth chapter. The second verse says this carry each other's burdens and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ. Love that verse, guys. We're going to start unpacking that. We're going to see how we can simplify and apply it to our life. Okay, now, as a reminder, we do the daily spiritual kickoff Monday through Friday, within our Lion Within Us community, and we do this for free. This is a free offering. So if you enjoy the SKO each and every week, head over to thelinewithinus. Start your daily spiritual kickoff. It's a great way. You can join it live when I do it every morning If you don't have a chance to join the live stream. Those videos are posted every day, so they're right there. We're working through the minor prophets right now. Guys, we just, we enjoy just unpacking God's word and applying it each and every day, and it's just a way that we hope to encourage you.

Speaker 1: 2:01

So the lionwithinus, how you get started with that, all right. So we need to first of all understand where is the book of Galatians. So if you're not familiar with the Bible, it's okay, you're here to the lion. There's no condemnation, we're just going to help you out. So it's in your New Testament. So if you go to your New Testament, you'll see Matthew, mark, luke and John. You get to Acts and Romans and you get first and second Corinthians and after you get past second Corinthians, then you get into these little epistles, and Galatians is the very first one you're going to run into. Ok, so the apostle Paul wrote this one, and we're going to really need to think about, with this verse, bearing burdens. Ok, bearing burdens.

Speaker 1: 2:39

And this is particularly difficult because this world that we lived in, as connected as it is, from a technological, technological standpoint, like this technology, if we're just connecting devices, in many ways we're all disconnected, right, and we're lonelier than we've ever been, and that's just ironic to me, right? And think about the digital age. We scroll past hundreds and hundreds and thousands of lives every day, but we struggle to find one person that truly knows ours. Just think about how that little thumb button on like Facebook or YouTube or any of your social medias, for likes. That has replaced real listening. Dms, direct messages have taken the place of deep dialogue, and community has really been reduced to comment threads. And it's just like what are we doing? I go, I just get frustrated with it. And yet I frustrated myself because I participate with it way too often and it's costing us more than we realize, because God never designed us to carry the weight of life alone.

Speaker 1: 3:58

The scripture, like right here Paul, is very clear Carry each other's burdens Right. This is not just a poem, you know. It's a command that reflects the heart of Christ. This means love and action. This means truth wrapped in compassion. This means strength given in the form of presence. So when you think about the idea of bearing someone else's burdens, that means you actually see them, you actually hear them and you're willing to stand in the gap when the pressure is causing them to buckle. And you know what that's like.

Speaker 1: 4:39

And but for many guys let's just be real that type of connection just feels completely out of reach. It does. We've been conditioned, or the world tells us that we have to just stay strong, we have to stay silent. We've got to figure this crap out on our own. Ok, and if you ever hear the word vulnerability, we equate that directly with weakness. To combat that, what do we often do? We isolate, we absolutely isolate. We bottle it up. Then, when the weight gets too heavy, we look around and usually nobody's there because other folks just don't care. But it's not because they don't care. We never invited them in, and this is a big deal. This is a crisis moment. This is not just an emotional problem either, fellas. This is a spiritual problem.

Speaker 1: 5:35

Jesus, think about the way he modeled his life Surrounded by community, he was walking with his disciples, he was crying and weeping with his friends. He was calling others directly into relationship with him. He never carried his mission in isolation. Now he would step aside to go pray, to be with his father, but he would always come back to the people. So if the son of God let me ask you this chose to walk closely with others, why do you think that you can survive without doing the same? When you frame it that way?

Speaker 1: 6:14

It makes no sense, and I think it's too often that we have neglected the gift of connection. And it's not because we don't need it, because somewhere along the way we've convinced ourselves that the risk isn't worth the reward. Right, it's putting myself too much in a vulnerable position, but Galatians 6.2 is a reminder to us that this is how we fulfill the law of Christ by bearing one another's burdens. So this is not optional, it's essential. So we've got to get started, and that's the hard part getting started. You've got to start first by showing up, guys, and I'm not talking about just come with all your wonderful advice. Everybody's just like armpits. Everybody's got one, and all of mine stink right. I cleaned it up for the podcast. You know what I'm talking about, though. No, it's talking about showing up with presence, presence and real questions and staying long enough to hear the real answers, and not just listening so that you can respond, listening so you can understand.

Speaker 1: 7:33

And then this also means being honest about your own burdens, and it requires usually a small start, but still start, because brotherhood doesn't happen by accident. This is a very intentional step. It takes sacrifice, it takes a lot of courage to do this, but when it's done correctly and those burdens are shared, when you don't get embarrassed to let a tear come down, that's when you start to see the strength and the freedom to flow. That's when the healing takes root and that's when the love of Christ moves from theory to reality. So I'm telling you, fellas, the world's going to push you into isolation. You have to choose to make a moment and let this be the moment that you fight back, and you fight back with others. You got to bear one of each other's burdens and help each other walk into the light.

Speaker 1: 8:43

So the question I want to leave you with is who is the guy out there right now, or guys who carry your burdens when life feels overwhelming? I know life's going to do that from time to time. So who are they and have you told them? Do they know the amount of trust you have? If you don't have those guys, probably a salient follow-up is what are you going to do about it? What steps are you going to take to course correct, to get those types of men in your life and, you know, at the Lion? This is why we build our community. This is why we build our leadership masterminds. So if you need support, if you're looking for those brothers in Christ that you can have these meaningful connections with, head over to lionwithinus and let's get connected today.

Speaker 1: 9:35

Okay, now for the listener out there who is listening to the lion, and you may be curious about this whole thing about Jesus and Christianity. What is it all about? I'm so glad you're here Because I just want to let you know you're here for a reason. We've created this for Christian men to be the leaders that God intends them to be. But we recognize not everyone who listens to the lion is a Christian, and that's okay. That's actually great, because I want to share with you the greatest news that has ever been shared in the world. Is in anything better than than fox news or cnn, or whoever you listen, you watch any, they're never going to break any news as good as this.

Speaker 1: 10:21

And it starts with god's perfect design. It was a perfect design of this world and you look around, this jacked up world we live in now, like it don't look perfect to me, and you're right, bro, it is not perfect right now, but in the beginning it was perfect. And he formed the first man. His name was adam, with his hands. God did this a personal just take back that personal touch there just to form him and to breathe the breath of life into adam's nostrils. And when adam sat up, he was face to face with his creator and it says he was. We were made in the breath of life, into Adam's nostrils, and when Adam sat up he was face to face with his creator. And it says we were made in the image of God. So it was really the beginning design of the world was incredible. It can't be put into words.

Speaker 1: 11:03

But then sin entered the world. Okay, and that's sin is anything that separates us from God. It's a pretty simple explanation or definition of it, rather so that sin fractured at relationships we have. So we have a holy and righteous and just god and we have us who have this sin nature. So now we have this chasm, this gap between us and him, and then we try, to most guys that I talk to, we try to just close this gap of stuff on our own Right. We try to go out there and just be a good person and give money to certain people and go to church two or three times a month, maybe even participate in a mission trip from time to time. Maybe we pray on a somewhat regular basis and read our Bible and we start doing these things and we feel like these things are enough to earn our spot in heaven.

Speaker 1: 11:59

Oprah said so. Oprah says there's many paths to heaven. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Oprah's wrong. She's absolutely wrong. There's not many paths, there's only one path. So there's nothing we can do on our own to earn our right standing with God. It's called workspace.

Speaker 1: 12:18

Righteousness Doesn't doesn't pan out, fellas. Ok, now I want you to do good works. For sure, we're saved to them, we're just not saved by them. We need to understand the fundamental difference between those. So if we can't be saved by our good works, then what do we do? Well, we need someone to come in and do for us what we can't do for ourselves. That is the definition of a Savior. Savior comes in and saves. Today, right? That's Jesus who left heaven on a rescue mission for each and every one of us.

Speaker 1: 12:54

And this Jesus was born of a virgin, fulfilled all the prophecies. He grew up, he performed different miracles and teachings. He was the greatest teacher to show us a new covenant, a new way. I mean, he was raising people from the dead, he was turning water to wine, he was healing the lame and the blind, and it was absolutely incredible what Jesus did. Then he said you know what I'm going to pay?

Speaker 1: 13:33

The penalty for sin. They can't pay it. There's nothing they can do to pay it, but I'm going to pay it and I'm going to pay it in full. And he did that. He fulfilled that by going through the cross, the perfect lamb of God, sacrifice for the sin of the world. And when they nailed him to the cross the perfect lamb of God Sacrificed for the sin of the world and when they nailed him to the cross and they crucified him, jesus didn't just pass out. So let's just clarify that. No, he died. He died on the cross. The penalty for sin is death and Jesus paid that in full, completely. So he died there. And they took him and they laid him in a tomb.

Speaker 1: 14:13

And if the story ended there, what are we here for? But it doesn't. It doesn't end there. You know, we're not going to church on Sundays dressed like we're going to a funeral every week, because we're not. We're going to a funeral every week because we're not. We're going to a celebration. Why? Because three days after they laid him in the tomb, he rose and the tomb is empty and that is the greatest news of all time, because Jesus over defeated death. He overcame it. Death couldn't hold him and I don't know about you, but there's nothing scarier for many people out there other than dying. But if we have a Savior who overcame death, what do we have to be afraid of? He literally did it, and that is the God that we serve. He overcame death, he walked, he showed us, he showed up to hundreds after he died and then he ascended to heaven. The Bible tells us he's at the right hand of the Father right now and he is the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through him. There is no other name under heaven that has been given among them by which we must be saved.

Speaker 1: 15:30

It is jesus, guys. So it starts with understanding, first of all. This is not just some fairy tale. This is not like reason frozen or some fictional thing, uh, from from grimm's fairy tales. No, this is real, this actually happened, and Jesus is the path to salvation. And it starts with first just admitting for you as an individual, as a guy or it could be a girl listening that you are a sinner. Right, you're not a mistaker. You don't need some coach to help you get better. No, you're a sinner and you need a savior. That's number one. Number two you better believe that Jesus is the son of God. He's it. There's no other person. That's it, jesus, is it?

Speaker 1: 16:19

So once you fully believe that in your heart, it moves to a point of confession. That's confessing him as Lord and Savior. And this is where guys get stuck, because we don't want to confess anything as Lord of our life, because we want to be Lord, we want to be in charge. But the fundamental difference is we're saying, god, I don't have this, I need you. And it takes a whole lot sometimes for guys to get to that point. But if you're to that point right now and you're saying, god, I need you, I'm confessing you as my Lord and Savior.

Speaker 1: 16:59

What happens is the Holy Spirit is going to come. You're going to have a new heart, the scales are going to fall off your eyes, you're going to be able to see the attacks for what's actually happening. And yet at that point you're going to be indwelled with the Holy Spirit. You're walking with him. And then that's when we need to get out and do the good works and do what he's called us to do, and lean into and the whole process of sanctification and just working through, chipping away everything that's not God, so that we can just be drawing closer and closer to him each and every moment. But it starts with the decision that you have to make right now to confess him as Lord and Savior. You can't get in on your grandma. You can't get in on your mom, your dad, your brother, your kids. Nope, doesn't work that way. This is an individual decision that you have to make.

Speaker 1: 17:47

Every person, and it is my prayer for somehow, by some way, by you listening to the line within us, by right now, the Holy Spirit is prompting you, is nudging you, and you know you have never done this and you know you can't wait any longer. So, for that one person who is ready to confess Jesus as your Lord and Savior, let's just pray. So, father, just thank you so much Prayerfully. There was something said here by sharing the gospel that is stirring up someone's heart, they know that they need to do something. They know that they need to confess you as Lord and Savior because their way is just not working. So I pray you just hear their prayer. I pray you put people in their path. They're going to help them along their brand new first step of their discipleship journey, and it's in your name we pray. Amen, all right.

Speaker 1: 18:39

So, look, if you just confess Christ as your Lord and Savior, I want to hear from you Because I want to give you some free resources. We've got a bunch of resources I'd like to connect you with. So, chris resources, we've got a bunch of resources I'd like to connect you with. So, chris, at thelionwithinus that's the email Just email me over, okay. Also want to find out where you're from, because we want to help you get plugged into a good, bible-believing, gospel preaching church, okay, so, one that's going to stand on the word of God. It's not going to water it down. Try to give you some red lights to consider, even some green lights to look for, so as you make that decision on where you're going to serve in your church, okay, so I want to hear from you. So again, chris, at thelinewithinus.

Speaker 1: 19:16

So, guys, come on back on Wednesday. Hopefully you're going to enjoy this conversation. We're going to have a really good conversation with a gentleman who's really just leaned in to the Lord and what the Lord's calling to do. So hopefully you're going to be encouraged by it. And if you would the lionwithinus, go start your daily spiritual kickoff.

Speaker 1: 19:34

Join our community. I'm just going to be straight up. Just join the community, guys. It's a good way to support what we're doing. Even if you don't want to participate, it's a great way to support us. It's a small, small donation, but it will give you access to what we do and also for you guys who really are serious about your discipleship journey and you want to consider our Leadership Mastermind, head over to that. Check that out. To thelinewithinus Scroll down.

Speaker 1: 19:59

You'll see the Leadership Mastermind. Or you can just go to linewithinus slash mastermind. You'll find all the information right there. Okay, you can always pick up the Bible app. Open up the Bible app. Search for the Line Within us. There You'll find all our devotions on the Bible app and other than that, guys just want to say thank you for taking the time to listen, for hanging out with us. It's just a blessing and honor to be here. We'll see you next time. Hope you have a great day Again.

Speaker 1: 20:34

Thelionwithinus donate button and give us a rating review. That would help big time as well. So, guys, get after it. Thank you so much. Get into the word and just keep unleashing the lion within. I've got something big to share.

Speaker 1: 20:42

We're making a major shift because we know the battle was real and it's time more men had access to the support they need.

Speaker 1: 20:45

For too long, guys have been trying to carry the weight alone pressure at work, tension at home, wounds from the past and a world that demands strength but offers no place to rest. We see it, we've lived it, and that's exactly why we built our community. It's a stronghold, a place where warriors can find rest, truth and a band of brothers standing beside them. And starting now, we're making it easier than ever to step in. We've lowered the barrier to just $15.99 a month. That means, for less than the cost of a drive-thru lunch, you can join a brotherhood that's centered on Christ and built for growth. Inside you'll find access to our daily spiritual kickoffs every Monday through Friday, our Lion Lunches, our Bible Studies, our Friday Forge Gatherings all that and so much more. Every man needs a stronghold, and you don't have to fight alone. If you've been waiting for the right time to jump in, this is it. Go to thelionwithinus and join the community and see for yourself what happens when iron truly sharpens iron.