Applied Christianity

Week 1:  

Before we begin, I want to explain what this series is and why it exists.

Applied Christianity is starting a 52-week discipleship journey designed for people who want to understand what Jesus actually taught and how to live it.

This isn’t a program you have to keep up with, and it’s not something you can fall behind on.
You can start anytime.

Each episode is meant to be taken slowly, one week at a time, because formation doesn’t happen through information alone.

Too many Christians struggle not because they don’t care, but because they were never given a foundation. They were handed conclusions without process, rules without power, and identity without formation.

This series exists to rebuild that foundation patiently, honestly, and in the right order, starting with the words and intentions of Jesus Himself.

Before we talk about doctrine, church, morality, culture, or anything else, we need to slow down and ask a much more basic question, one that most Christians were never asked clearly.

What did Jesus actually invite people into?

Because if we get that wrong, everything else becomes confusing, frustrating, or exhausting.

Many people today sincerely call themselves Christians. They attend church. They believe Jesus existed. They may even agree with most Christian teachings. But agreement is not what Jesus asked for.

Jesus did not ask people to admire Him.
He did not ask people to agree with Him.
And He did not ask people to adopt a religious label.

He asked them to follow Him.

This series is built on a simple conviction: without foundation, nothing makes sense.

So this is not a sermon series.
It’s not a debate podcast.
And it’s not about fixing other people.

This is a slow, deliberate rebuilding of the Christian foundation, starting with the words and intentions of Jesus Himself.

 JESUS NEVER ASKED FOR “CHRISTIANITY”

When Jesus began His ministry, His invitation was simple.

“Follow Me.”

Matthew 4:19 says, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

Jesus never said:
Accept Me.
Agree with Me.
Join an institution.

He said follow.

In Luke 9:23, Jesus says, “If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”

And in Matthew 28:19, He commands His disciples to go and make disciples—not converts, not church members, but disciples.

The word “Christian” appears only a handful of times in the New Testament—and never from the mouth of Jesus.

That distinction matters.

A label requires very little.
Following requires everything.

You can believe Jesus is real and never let Him lead.
You can admire Him and still remain unchanged.

Jesus never called people to admiration.

THE DANGER OF LABEL CHRISTIANITY - Be sure you catch this.

In Matthew 7, Jesus gives one of the most sobering warnings in Scripture.

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven.”

These people used His name.
They did religious works.
They believed they were secure.

And yet Jesus says, “I never knew you.”

This is not about perfection.
It is about direction.

Christianity that demands nothing will ultimately produce nothing.

When faith is reduced to belief without obedience, forgiveness without repentance, or grace without transformation, it creates something Jesus never intended - passive believers who feel secure but are never changed.

Jesus did not come to create a people who were merely acquitted.
He came to form sons and daughters who learn to love what He loves and hate what He hates.

God did not create robots.
And relationship without choice is not love. It is slavery.

Real love requires response.
Real discipleship requires surrender.

Jesus calls us not just to believe something about Him, but to become something with Him.

In John 8:31, Jesus says, “If you abide in My word, you are truly My disciples.”

Disciples remain.
They continue.
They stay under instruction.

WHAT A DISCIPLE ACTUALLY IS????

A disciple is not someone who merely believes the right things.

A disciple is someone who is intentionally learning to live the way Jesus lived.

Luke 6:40 says, “When fully trained, the disciple will be like his teacher.”

This is transformation, not behavior management.

A disciple learns before judging.
Obeys before debating.
Practices before teaching.
And remains teachable.

SO WHY DOES THIS SERIES EXISTS???

Many Christians struggle not because they are lazy or rebellious, but because they were never given a foundation.

They were handed conclusions without process.
Rules without power.
Identity without formation.

This series exists to rebuild the foundation slowly and honestly.

You are not too late.
You are not disqualified.
You are exactly where you need to be to begin.

This journey is not for spectators.
It is for those willing to be taught.

You do not need to clean yourself up.
You do not need to have answers.
You only need to be willing to follow.

At the end of each episode, I’ll recommend a few Scripture readings, along with some additional reading for those who want to go deeper. We’ll also end with a few reflection questions.

Take one reading this week. Sit with it. Don’t rush. Discipleship is not about how much you consume. It’s about how much you allow Jesus to reshape you.

Scripture

Read slowly. Do not rush.

• Matthew 4
  Jesus calls His first disciples.  Watch what they leave and how they respond.
• Luke 9:23–27
  Pay attention to the cost language Jesus uses.
• John 8:31–36
  What does Jesus say defines a true disciple?
• Matthew 7:21–29
  Notice the contrast between hearing and doing.

Christian Thinkers

C. S. Lewis

Mere Christianity

• Book IV, Chapter 4 — Counting the Cost
• Book IV, Chapter 11 — The New Men

Why these chapters:
Lewis directly dismantles the idea that Christianity is about self-improvement rather than transformation.

“The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us.”

George MacDonald

Unspoken Sermons

• The Way
• Obedience

(If using The Consuming Fire, the chapters that focus on obedience and sonship.)

Why MacDonald:
MacDonald insists that salvation without transformation is a contradiction; a truth modern Christianity often avoids.

“The obedience of the child is the only true response to the Father.”

Weekly Reflection Questions

1. When did I first start calling myself a Christian?
2. Have I ever consciously decided to follow Jesus rather than simply believe in Him?
3. What would realistically change in my life if I took discipleship seriously?

Encourage journaling, not answering quickly.

Next week, we will address a question that determines everything:
Who is actually in charge of my life?