Chris Grainger
00:03
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. Alright, guys, it’s your spiritual kickoff of the week. I’m excited to have you here, so let’s dig right into the word and let’s get going.
00:16
Alright, so we’re going to be in the book of Colossians. Okay so, colossians, chapter one, looking at one verse this week, verse 27,. To whom God will to make known what the wealth of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles is, the mystery that is Christ and you, the hope of glory. So, guys, we’re going to really unpack this scripture and we’re going to hopefully see how we can simplify and apply it and make it part of our daily walk. Okay, so, first of all, you need to understand, at the gate, where it’s Colossians. I know it can be hard to find some of these books. This is actually in the middle of Paul’s letters. It comes after Philippians, it’s before 1 Thessalonians. Okay, so it’s pretty small. In my Bible it’s only like two or three pages, so you may miss it. That’s okay. I guarantee you’ll find it. It’s only four chapters, so just give yourself a little bit of grace, if you go again, go to Philippians, just keep turning, and then I guarantee you’ll get there Alright. So that’s where it’s at.
01:09
So, paul, the apostle Paul, wrote this to the church in Colossae during his first imprisonment in Rome. Okay, so that’s when this was written. So what this particular verse is here is actually at the end of a sentence that starts at verse 25. And I thought you know what. I know we just usually look at one verse, but to give a little context, i thought it would help to read the first part of verse two. So here’s the beginning of verse 25. It says of this church I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit, so that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God. Here’s verse 26.
01:46
That is the mystery, that which has been hidden from the past ages and the generations but has now been manifested to his saints. Verse 27, which is our verse that we’re in today, to whom God will to be made known what the riches of the glory, of this mystery among the Gentiles which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. So, guys, i really thought it was good here. If you just follow along with me there. The mystery here is not just that the Gentiles will be blessed, but the Jews and the Gentiles will be equal airs in the body of Christ. Okay, that is really a powerful verse right there. Okay, because, again, who did Jesus come for? Not just for the Jews, but for the Jews and the Gentiles. And Paul touches on this in Ephesians three. So if we go to just really quickly, guys, i really think it’s important as we, as we dig into the word well, to have these different reference points. So, if you go to Ephesians three, look at verse three, it actually says, by the revelation that was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before and breathe again that mystery here again, gentiles, they will be blessed and the Jews, they will be blessed and they’re going to be co, co airs. They will be equal in the body of Christ. So, paul and Colossians here Paul is making sure that those in the church recognizes who Jesus is providing salvation for everyone.
03:12
Everyone is to me He’s the ultimately DEI right. He is definitely diversity, equity, equity, inclusion. He is it. Jesus is for everyone, but it takes surrendering to him. Okay, so this was while thinking back then and this is this was not readily accepted. I guarantee this was not accepted by many. Look what he’s saying that God is making known just in this one verse. God is making known Christ in you.
03:38
This is one of the few times that Paul actually uses this direct language verbage here, but it’s extremely powerful because think about it just for four minutes. Just think about it. We talk about the line within us all the time and essentially we’re pointing to the Holy Spirit. That, guys, each and every one of us as a believer, you know, we call that the line within, and the crazy part of Trinity was, when you think about it, you got three and one. So you have God, the Father, son, the whole Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. So in Christ, right in each one of us, he is in as one of his believers.
04:14
And it’s hard to wrap our minds around, guys, this can be my only type stuff. We try to actually figure it out and then it gets, you know, kind of kind of get stuck with how can I have Christ in me When I’m wicked? you don’t know stuff I’ve done, bro. You don’t know stuff God, and there’s no way I can have Christ in me, because it’d be. I’m just too bad. And you know what? alone it would be impossible. Right, it is completely impossible when we try to do it on our own, but we will surrender to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. That old sir, that old self, dies. So that old Chris No, no, the one who was just walking my way, that that dude ain’t here no more right in the mystery was revealed.
04:54
That mystery is so beautiful. We’ll receive that new heart in Christ. Right, and we have that new heart. Guess what comes right here? It says in God’s Word and Colossians the hope of glory. That’s a true hope. That’s the true hope, guys, and we all have that hope. When we confess him as Lord, because we had that. When we do that, he tells us he gives us a gift of eternal life. That day, that gift that waits for us. And this is what the hope of glory, guys, is all about. Okay now, since we have this hope, what we supposed to do with it? Just keeping our back pocket? No, no, we have this hope. We should share it with others. Share with others. Look all around you and see the people that that are in your, that, they’re in this world, who have lost hope. They have lost it.
05:43
You know this as I’m recording this. I know we’re kind of back on when we record stuff versus one stuff actually releases, but this is around the time of the recording is when the national shooting happened. And I look there and I see, you know, six People, innocent people, three of them nine years old kids, and I haven’t a ten-year-old daughter. You know, i have a 12 year old dog too. Obviously I have, we have four, but having one right there at that age man, it doesn’t take long to see how much Patron is out there, How much hurt is in the world.
06:15
You know, and it’s just when you see stuff like this happen, you know it just breaks your heart as a Christian. It really does. It breaks your, it breaks your heart, so it makes you wonder how can I possibly have any hope in anything that matters And it all for me and always has to come down to the name above all names, and that name is Jesus. So maybe you’re in pit right now. Things really suck, you can’t keep seeing to get out, and or maybe you just you know, If you’re like me, it feel like every time you turn around you’re changing the calendar because another month is coming, gone and you’re trying to figure out where in the world has happened. You know you, you look in the mirror. You don’t even recognize the guy staring back at you. You’re like what, where, where, how did 20 years go by? Right, maybe get these notifications I get them too from sometimes and it shows you pictures of stuff that happens, you know, five, six, ten years ago, whatever, and it seems like it was just yesterday.
07:09
You know, i just need you guys, in those moments, just take a deep breath and know that the hope of glory is available to all those that surrender and believe. And then, once you have that understanding right, then you get that piece that passes on understanding. But you got to have that understanding first. So just don’t put this again. This is not just for us to hold on to fellas. We have to be able to share this with others. Okay, and sharing this most wonderful, impossible, incredible news with others help them see the mystery. You know the mystery that awaits when you have Christ in you.
07:48
Guys, i’m telling you, when you start doing that, you start leaning into this stuff and you start thinking about okay, how can I just just just a regular dude, do the work that God’s called me to do? when you start off by sharing the love of Christ with others And don’t worry so much about what you know and what you don’t know. Guys, i get that, that imposter syndrome to fear all the time. There’s so many more people that know God’s word, or better speakers that are more eloquent and have better vocabulary. The list goes on and on and on. But you know what, guys qualifying me? every day, he’s put me through that process of sanctification. I’m growing stronger, not on my own, but because of him. But it takes obedience obedience by you guys. I’m thankful, so thankful.
08:35
You guys listened to the podcast. I know the spiritual kickoffs. We have a lot of great feedback on the SK, on the SKOs, that you guys really enjoy this. Don’t let this be the only time you’re in the word. Today, though, i challenge our community. I go live every day inside our community. I read scripture. We have a daily script spiritual kickoff inside the community, and I challenge my guys even there. Look, i’m giving you guys 20, 30 minutes of scripture every day. This can’t be your only time in the word. You have to have that one on one connection with God. So take that time, okay, guys.
09:06
So this week we’re going to be talking a lot about forgiveness, just to kind of give you some insight to what to be thinking about as we move forward. So I want you to be thinking, getting ready for our meet episode on Wednesday. How do you know when you’ve truly forgiven others, like really think to that, when you’ve truly forgiven someone? how do you know that? you’ve checked that box? And it’s hard, it’s hard fellas. I totally get it. I suck at this. I mean, this is something that really struggled with. Sometimes a forgiveness, like I’ll go through the motions of forgiveness, then I forget, right, maybe you become a historian when things start happening. So we’re going to really I brought in a guest guys. This is going to be a really good conversation. It’s going to help you guys. It definitely helped me grow in my knowledge of forgiveness and what that looks like and how I can actually start walking that out.
09:54
Okay, so now for our spiritual kickoffs. If you listen to us this far and you’re still here, thank you. Now, if you listen to us this far and you’re still here and you’re not a Christian and you never submit your, your, your life to the Lord ship of Jesus Christ, this is your opportunity because you, you’re here and you’re curious. You’re asking questions and you’re doing the right stuff. You’re doing your research and I’m going to make it very simple for you. You have to admit it’s your center. Just admit it. Just admit it. Hey, hey, i’m a center and need of a savior. Again, you know I’m a staker and even a life coach. Nope, we don’t need coaches, we need saviors. Big difference I coach softball. I can’t save. You’d be a savior to anybody on that team.
10:38
There’s only one person that can Jesus Christ. You have to believe that he is the son of God. I mean truly believe with all your heart that he is the son of God. You have to confess him as Lord. And I mean Lord, guys, it can’t just be teacher You guys hear me talk about this all the time. It can’t just be teacher, he has to be Lord. Once you confess him as Lord, then the Holy Spirit will come and dwell you. You have that new heart. We like to call it a line with him. You’ll be ready to do the work he’s called you to do.
11:05
So, guys, if you’re ready to truly surrender to the Lordship, let’s pray. Father, i just know there’s listeners out there right now And they’ve had questions about you and they don’t know. They don’t know why they’re even listening to this right now, but you do. You’ve put them here and I pray, lord, if you are calling them and you’re calling them to repentance and you’re calling them to you, that they take action, that they pray this prayer with me and they accept you as their Lord and their savior over your life. And at this moment they have the new heart, they have the Holy Spirit is being poured out upon them. I pray you give them courage, strength, that you give them wisdom, discernment, that you put people in their path to help God and direct them in their walk. And, lord, i’m just so thankful, for we have this opportunity to share the good news of the gospel with others through a crazy media like podcasting, but we want to ultimately point everybody that we can to you. We pray everything according to your will. Jesus name, amen.
12:04
So, guys, if you just or girls, if you just submit your life to the Lordship of Jesus, i need you to send me one favor. Send me an email, because I want to send you some resources for free support at the lion with N, that US, that’s, support at the lion with NUS. Why won’t do them? Give you some 10 scriptures. You need to fight like a lion. I just want to first of all give you a virtual fist pump, high five, let you know, hey, we’re here for you, we’re praying for you. But I want to get you ready, because you just entered to the battlefield, you know the blinders are off. Now you’re in the game. It’s time to be to be ready, because I’m tell you it’s going to get tough. But I guarantee you, I guarantee you that if you hang, if you stay strong and stay connected to the word and be obedient to the Holy Spirit, man, get out the way, because you’re going to be on fire. All right, fellas, i hope if you’re enjoying this stuff.
12:51
I do a daily spiritual kickoff, monday through Friday, inside our community, at the lion within us, every morning. Go live, we post it as well. For the guys that can’t make it, the only way you access that content is inside the community. So go to the lion with NUS. That’s the lion with NUS. Start your 30 day free trial. Come hang out with me every day for spiritual kickoffs. Let that scripture kind of be a good way to get your day going, get your day started. Come to all of our events, all our resources. Guys, i’m telling you it’s happening in there each and every day. We’re growing, we’re serving, we’re helping each one of these guys be the leader God intends them to be. So if that’s you and you’re ready to get off the sidelines and just stop being a side by Christian or a back row of baptism, whatever you want to call it and actually start leaning into your faith and walking the stuff out, come join us. Come join us at the lion with NUS.
13:41
All right, fellas, get after it, come back on Wednesday. We’re going to have a really good episode I’m telling you this one on Wednesday around. Forgiveness is powerful. It’s going to help you. So it’ll give you a lot of wisdom and insight and that you’ll be able to not only take and utilize. It will improve your marriage and it will improve your relationship with your kids. You can improve some things with your career, maybe with your boss, that you’re struggling with right now. I guarantee you we all have these areas that when you think about what’s forgiveness, this is it. This is going to really help us lean into that and exercise that muscle, start putting to practice what Christ has called us to do right And be the lead forgivers out there. All right, fellas, we’ll see you next time. Get after it. Have a great day Now. Unleash the lion with N.
14:28
Are you enjoying the weekly spiritual kickoff? If so, we are now offering a way to participate in our live daily spiritual kickoffs that happen Monday through Friday in our community. This is your chance to chat with me directly and other members of our community, to dive into scripture and to leave with practical ways to simplify and apply God’s word to your daily walk. And here’s the best part You get all of this for just $5 a month. So, for what most people pay for breakfast meal, you can join us on this journey of spiritual growth and leadership, which will always lead you full. Our community is dedicated to supporting each other and pushing forward in our faith. Come join me in the lion’s den and become the leader God intends you to be. Sign up now at the lionwithnus and let’s start this journey together. Remember, it’s only $5 a month for this amazing opportunity. So visit the lionwithnus so you don’t miss out.