Chris Grainger
Host
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. All right, fellas, spiritual kickoff time. Let’s get into the word. This morning, we’ll be looking at two verses today. So we’re going to be in the book of Romans, chapter 12, looking at verses nine and 10. So Romans 12, nine and 10. It says love must be sincere. Hate what is evil According to what is good. Be devoted to one another and love. Honor one another above yourselves. Guys, this is some powerful scripture, right here And again.
00:38
The point of the spirit, the spiritual kickoff, is to help you simplify and apply these verses to your daily walk, Because it’s not just enough just to know the verses is how can we actually apply this stuff and walk it out? Okay, now, first thing, we need to know you know what I’m going to say Where is Romans? You got to know this stuff, fellas, okay, so this is very important. We’re not going to take anything for granted. So you go to your New Testament. So you have your Old Testament, your New Testament. Go to your New Testament. Go past your Gospels, that’s, matthew, mark, luke and John Then you can get to Acts. Then, after Acts, you get to Romans. Okay, so this is the part of Paul’s powerful. This is actually part. When you get to Romans is where Paul’s right, this powerful letter to the church of Rome, and it is. It is amazing, guys, i don’t even know how to explain it. Romans is full of truth that we need as believers. That is it. And Romans 12 speaks of what leaders should be striving for in our own journey. So I want you to start thinking about something when we get started.
01:35
Do you know people out there I’m smiling when I say this who are sarcastic or constantly faking it? I mean for real. You know I’m talking about, right, the guy who he’s gathered all together, okay, all the time. He’s got the perfect family, perfect kids, the perfect wife. He’s always saying he’s blessing highly favored, he’s driving the nicest car, living in a nice house. He’s just, he’s got it all together right, all the time. Well, you don’t know a secret. That guy’s human, just like the rest of us, and he has struggles too. I’m telling you it’s so far out there. We see fake all the time.
02:10
People recognize sincerity and there’s a serious shortage of it in this life. I’m just telling you it really is. This is going to be a special week this week, guys. I’m going to be unpacking a trip of a lifetime where I was able to actually meet a family that walks this out. They actually walk it out And I mean, i really was able to spend a significant time with this family And sometimes you wonder are people really the way that you think, that they perceive, or that your perception of them is?
02:41
And for me, it was so refreshing to see that firsthand. Okay, so this verse speaks directly to that genuine heart and that genuine love, and that’s what I found when I met them. And we just see this right here. Look at the first four words, this verse. What does it say?
02:58
Love must be sincere. Love must be sincere, right. And if we must be sincere, well, how are we supposed to do that? Well, it starts with examining our hearts and if we understand our motives behind trying to genuinely help others. Okay, because this is not just a feeling, guys. That’s not what we’re talking about. Love is not just a feeling. Love has to be put into action. That action should make an impact. Okay, and we don’t want to be service level Christians. Wherever we go, we have to show the fruit where. And we’re at. What is a fruit? love, start off. Remember now, that was the very first one joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, generous self-control all that fruit That should be pouring out everywhere We are, and that is. That is how you actually love sincerely. Put it into action, okay, and what? the next verse?
03:51
I think it’s so cool how Paul does this Again. Just just compare contrast to what he’s doing right here. He says hate, hate. What is evil? now, hate is pretty strong word, isn’t it? That’s a pretty strong word and the Holy Spirit gave him that word. He gave them that word for a reason because we shouldn’t float around with evil, fellas. We shouldn’t. We’re to be set apart.
04:16
That’s what we’re called to do and we need to need to understand, you need to recognize it. If you don’t recognize this right now, that’s my prayer that you do that evil exists, evil exists, it is out there in this world and that evil’s trying to take you out. Right, and we should absolutely despise it. Okay, this doesn’t say we’re to hate people. No, no, no, no. This doesn’t say hate people. We’re hating that evil that exists and many are under control of it. Okay, it, and that’s what we should hate. It’s the evil that we should attack, not the individual. It’s the evil. But you have to recognize force at first and foremost. That evil is real, the demonic forces, those are out there, guys. Now, sometimes it’s not that, sometimes people just being jerks, but sometimes That evil is what’s driving their motives and we need to recognize that.
05:09
Okay, now, in the same sentence, what does Paul do here? right after that, there, there’s a Semicolon and he says cling to what is good, cling to what is good. Now, what you think about this? What do you think of when you hear word clean, right? Maybe you’ve grown, you’ve been out there and you’ve crossed a high bridge before and you’re clinging on to the rail right. Or maybe you’re like me and we have, we have little’s in the house, we have our you, so you have toddlers and they cling to your leg. They just grab, hold anything you hold on to. Or, or Judah, my little seven month old, he’ll grab my, my chest hair or my shirt and he’s reaching herself, he’s clinging to it, right.
05:48
What Paul has given us right here is a visual image, that that we don’t want to let go. We don’t want to let go because we need that when we see goodness world, we should cling on to it with everything that we have. I’m talking about white knuckle in a game, fellas. That’s what should be doing and that’s what it’s all about. We should let it go and what was? and, guys, if we do that as believers, that should drive us To be that good ourselves, right, That should really be driving us to do everything that we can to bring that goodness world where people want to cling to us. And if, as we cling to what is good, we need to recognize the importance of having brothers and sisters, christ, that we can come alongside of in this battle of Life that we’re, that we’re in, and we need to be doing this with love. That is it. That’s good. That’s it because what? what is Paul doing right here? He’s talking about being devoted to one another in love. What should be devoted to one another.
06:45
That that word devotion is Something that is pretty much lost these days, where people are not devoted to pretty much anything. You why? because people don’t want to commit anything. Let’s think about how it is for serving at church, local church, or think about, i think about our youth department, youth department and a lot of churches. They struggle with events. Why They struggle with events? because kids and youth, and particularly teenagers, don’t want to commit to anything. Because you know what Something better may come up in their eyes quote unquote better. So therefore, they don’t want to commit to this event that you’re planning two months from now, because two months from now there can be this really fun event quote unquote fun that I’d rather go to versus this church event. So therefore, i was going to choose that There’s no devotion versus understanding.
07:41
You know what? Being plugged in with a body of believers, no matter what we’re doing, if it’s going out to a laser tag or we’re going to a bowling, it doesn’t matter. If you’re doing that with that group of people and they’re pulling you closer to Christ, that’s probably a good thing. So devotion is just something we don’t hear a lot of these days. Right, nobody’s devoted. Look at how people jump jobs, how people do relationships.
08:03
What is relationships now? Hook up, break up. You know, hook up, shack up, break up and repeat. That’s it. It’s a cycle. It’s over and over and over and over. You know that’s why marriage is on a decline. You know, no one’s devoted to that.
08:15
Right, because it takes devotion. There’s also good, good and marriage, when people are just missing out. I see them chasing it all the time. They’re just chasing the things in this world and they’re missing what happens when you have devotion? right, and that’s what Paul’s right here He’s telling us we have to be devoted and that believers, we have to be devoted to each other and love, and that’s everyone. That’s everyone we encounter, everyone that we encounter guys. We have to vote in love And that can be hard, okay, because because we think about this, we’re called to love even the people who frustrate us, right, even the ones who frustrate us, and sometimes that can be difficult.
08:57
It’s going to be real, right, because it makes it very hard for us to love others that frustrate us, because we’re human, we’re human, we are. And then, right here, he teaches us that believers should, at the very end, we have, to be connected with others, right, and that we should love others. And it’s just a curveball that he’s telling us that. He’s telling us, fellas, where he’s talking directly to us, what he says you supposed to honor others above ourselves. How many of y’all do that? Honor others above of yourself? That’s completely one of the way the world thinks, right From the earliest memories you have, right, what are you doing?
09:42
You’re looking out for number one. I know what you’re doing, because that’s what we all do. That’s in it for me, right? I look at my little girl, 21 month old, little Lily, and I like to pick on her. But even she knows, you know what Those goldfish? they’re hers, right, they are hers, and in her little small world she’s taking care of herself. It’s the nature, it’s the sent nature.
10:04
Okay, and that really should resonate with you, guys. And if it’s not, maybe you should think about that, because ultimately, right here, we want to serve the man in the mirror And Paul is telling us nope, you better flip that on his head, guys. Right, this is part of the upside down kingdom, right, where we’re called to love others, regardless of their status or position. It tells us clearly in Scripture Just sit at the high table where all the kings and rulers are, and put the lower class at the bottom. No, we’re going to flip that upside down, because it’s not about us. It’s not about us. The faster we can focus on honoring others, the better off we’re going to be. That’s it. That’s it, guys, i’m telling you, the better off we’re going to be.
10:51
So I want you to think about these verses, really think about these verses. And then, what area do you want to focus on the most? Because you have four areas. Okay, you can think about how can I start loving more sincerely. You can think about how should I need to start turning from evil? Maybe you need to consider What do I need to cling to? what is good, or do you want to be someone that others can count on and loves and loving sacrificially? Now you can combine a couple of these areas. I say pick two, pick a couple of these and start applying them. So maybe this week you want to start loving more sincerely and actually being genuine when you reach out and try to care for others. Maybe this week you need to turn away for some Eve on your life.
11:40
That could be as big as something like an extramarital affair, pornography, covenness. Maybe you’re trying to stab someone in the back to get the position at work so you can get all the credit. Have I stepped on everybody’s toes yet? Let’s see What else could it be. It could be where you’re trying to pursue something of this world, like a bank account or business deal, that you know deep down God doesn’t get. That’s not what he’s designed for you. Yet It’s better for you financially to make this decision. Maybe you need to pray about that. There’s a lot of evil in this world, guys. Maybe it’s your friends, maybe there’s a couple of friends in your life that pull you further from God. This could be people who are not necessarily I’m not saying that all your friends are terrible, i’m saying but I am telling you you better be careful, because the people you spend the time with they’re going to either pull you closer to God or further away.
12:41
You have to make a decision. Which ones are you going to listen to? Maybe you want to clean up something good and do some volunteer work this week. Maybe you just want to show up and be there for someone. I’m telling you, if you pick a couple, just a couple, of these areas this week and you make that your intent, you know what I’m going to walk out. I am going to walk out this Romans 12, 9, and 10. I’m going to love sincerely. I’m going to hate what is evil. I’m going to clean it what is good, i’m going to be devoted to others and love and I’m going to honor others above ourselves. If you just do those few things. This week, guys, your week is going to flip upside down on its head. It’s going to be incredible. You’re going to have an opportunity to unleash and allow it then, wherever you’re at, if you choose to be obedient to the Holy Spirit Now.
13:25
If you haven’t accepted Christ as your Savior and you’re hearing all the stuff that we’re talking about, guys, i got a question for you. What are you waiting on? What are you waiting on? It’s time to take some action, because you never promised tomorrow. Your opportunity to walk with Christ is today.
13:44
It’s very simple. You just need to admit that you’re a sinner. I see it, i say it every week. You’re not a mistake or any of a life coach. You are a sinner in need of a Savior. Right And sin is anything that separates us from God. You have to believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that he came down from heaven. He taught us, he showed us, he performed the signs, he did all the things. He gave us that insight to the kingdom of heaven. What we need to do ultimately, what you have to do, is surrender to him. Surrender to him. You have to confess him as Lord.
14:19
So if you’ve never done that in your life and you say you know what? I’m tired of trying to do this thing called life on my own. I’m frustrated, i’m tired, i’m beat up, i’m bruised, i can’t do this. At that point you’re on the right track, because you can’t do this, none of us can alone, but with Christ, with Christ, there is nothing. There’s nothing impossible when He is the center of everything that we do.
14:49
So maybe you’re at that point and you’re just breaking down and you hear these voices and these verses and you’re like, yeah, i want that, i’m ready for that. And at that moment I want to ask you whatever you’re doing right now, so long as you’re not driving, if you’re driving, don’t close your eyes. Please keep your eyes open. I want to pray for you right now And my prayers are there is someone listening to this And in this moment they’re accepting Christ as their Savior. So, father, just thank you for today, thank you for the people who listen to the lie with us, thank you for the way the Holy Spirit is moving in people’s lives.
15:22
I pray for the man or woman right now who’s listening, who’s ready to accept you as their Savior. I pray, father, god, that you just pour out your special anointing on them, that they feel your presence, that they feel the Holy Spirit, that now the scales are removed, they can see what you have called them and do, god. So I just pray peace for them in this moment. I pray that you just feel them with joy. I pray we put people in their life that’s going to draw them closer to you, god not further apart, but closer to you as they want to develop and strengthen their relationship with Christ. So just thank you, god, for how good you are to us. Thank you for your word, thank you for allowing us the way we are each and every day. We pray all this according to your will. Jesus’ name, amen, all right.
16:06
So if you just accept it, christ, as you say here, congratulations. This is why we should do the lie with us. We want to bring more and more people to have that relationship with Jesus, and then we want to help you be the leaders that God intends you to be. So look, if you just accept it, christ, send me an email. Supportattheliewithanus, seriously, hit me up. Send an email. I got some free things I want to send your way to get you started. I want some scriptures, some references, some guides. I’m going to give you our Bible study. I’m going to give you everything we have to help you get started on the journey. And I also just want to have a conversation, do a virtual fist bump to be there for you. So just supportattheliewithanus.
16:43
Ok, now the question of the week. This week I want you to think about what signs or indicators help you recognize genuine sincerity. You know what people are being sincere, right. So what are those signs? Now I’ve flipped this question a little bit. Do others see genuine sincerity in you? There’s a question for you as well. So two part question this week. Because if you’re not being sincere, you’re not being genuine. That stuff, just it, just it comes off and people get turned off. I know I do. And, guys, i’m telling you think about being sincere this week.
17:15
If you enjoy these spiritual kickoffs we do these Monday through Friday within our community We’d love for you to consider that and jump in, join that part of our community. It’s a great way to get involved, to get engaged. If you can’t make the lives every day, don’t worry, we post the live recordings. So, each and every day, if you’re having, if you’re just struggling, maybe you just want somebody to come alongside and do some reading with you in God’s word. That’s what we do. We literally just pick chapters of the Bible, books of the Bible. We just read through it. We see what the Holy Spirit reveals to us, and it’s a great way to get a little spiritual boost, get your day going Okay. So again, the lion within us is a way to connect with that. You’ll see it right there on the main page. We have that 30 days on leech to a lion within banner. So go ahead and check, get started on that. That’s free as well. Get you a lot of resources to get started with that.
18:02
And then our community. I can’t say enough about our community, guys, how much we’re doing each and every day. There’s events happening in that community all the time. We have a live event planned for this fall. We have tons of things that are happening all the time And it’s 30 day free trial. So, even if you’re on the fence, just jump in for 30 days, consume it, see if you like it.
18:22
If you don’t balance out And I’m telling you, guys, you’re going to find a group of men inside a community that are ready to serve, that are ready to help you, that are ready to help you grow And put a lot of effort in this, fellas, so this is not some you know off the shelf thing where we’re just here. Try this. No, we are in this. We’re committed to this. We’re committed to doing what God has called us to do. So I pray you take some, take the opportunity to explore it for yourself. Okay, all right, fellas. So get after. Give us a rating review. All that stuff helps.
18:50
Come on Wednesday. I have a special episode on Wednesday. You’re not going to want to miss this one. I’m on breakdown. This trip of a lifetime. I’m going to share with you who the family is on Wednesday, who I was able to spend some time with, and really lessons that I’ve learned since that trip, and hopefully that will help serve you as you move forward to be that leader Again. I know you want to be the leader God calls you to be, so, looking forward to sharing this experience with you all, i pray that this spiritual kickoff serves you well. Get after.
19:18
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