Applied Christianity

Welcome to the Applied Christianity Podcast, where faith meets everyday life. In each episode, we dive deep into the challenges faced by young adults today, offering practical and faith-based solutions to navigate through their struggles. Join us as we engage in heartfelt conversations with young people, exploring their stories and providing real-world applications of Christian principles to support and uplift them. Whether you're seeking guidance, inspiration, or a sense of community, the Applied Christianity Podcast is here to help you integrate faith into every aspect of your life.

The Kingdom of God — What Jesus Was Actually Teaching 01/21/2026

The Kingdom of God — What Jesus Was Actually Teaching Welcome back to Applied Christianity This is week 3 of a 52-week discipleship journey designed for people who want to understand what Jesus actually taught and how to live it. In weeks 1 and 2 we are laying a foundation. In Week One, we asked a basic but uncomfortable question: What is a disciple? Not a label. Not a belief system. But a life that actually follows Jesus. In Week Two, we asked another question that determines everything: Who is actually in charge of my life? Because following Jesus only makes sense if He has authority. Today, we take the next step. Authority only makes sense if there is a Kingdom. And that brings us to the heart of Jesus’ teaching. Jesus’ central message was not, “How do you go to heaven when you die?” It was this: “The Kingdom of God is at hand.” If we misunderstand the Kingdom, we misunderstand Jesus. One reason the Kingdom of God feels confusing is because many of us were never taught what it is — only what it isn’t. The Kingdom of God is not heaven after death. Jesus didn’t say, “The Kingdom will arrive someday when you leave this world.” He said, “The Kingdom is near.” “The Kingdom is among you.” The Kingdom of God is also not a political system. Jesus did not come to seize earthly power or align Himself with a political agenda. And the Kingdom of God is not a church denomination. The church is meant to reflect the Kingdom — but it is not the Kingdom itself. Finally, the Kingdom of God is not moral self-improvement. Jesus did not preach better behavior. He preached a new reality. He didn’t say, “Try harder.” He said, “Repent — because something has arrived.” To understand Jesus, we have to understand what a kingdom is. A kingdom is not abstract. A kingdom has: a king authority a way of life a set of values and citizenship You don’t vote in a kingdom. You don’t negotiate with a king. You don’t redefine the rules. You enter — and you submit. That’s why Jesus didn’t say, “Agree with Me.” He said, “Follow Me.” Because the Kingdom of God is not an idea you adopt. It is a rule you come under. This is where many Western Christians feel tension, even if they can’t name it. Most Christians today live as forgiven individuals, but not as Kingdom citizens. We want salvation benefits without Kingdom allegiance. Imagine a kingdom that offers everything a broken world longs for. Life instead of death. Forgiveness instead of condemnation. Restoration instead of decay. An end to pain, suffering, and fear. The invitation is clear: Enter the kingdom. Come under the authority of the king. Learn to live according to his rule. And become like his son in every way. Now imagine people agreeing to enter that kingdom — but slowly, quietly, they begin changing its meaning. They tell others, “You don’t really have to change.” “Belief is enough.” “The kingdom exists to serve you.” Some say, “You were already chosen — so nothing is really required.” Others say, “If you give something to the kingdom, the kingdom will give you permission to remain the center of your own life.” At that point, the issue is no longer confusion. It’s not misunderstanding. It’s not immaturity. It’s the attempt to receive the benefits of a kingdom while refusing the authority of its king. A kingdom cannot survive if its citizens rewrite its purpose. And allegiance cannot be optional in a kingdom without emptying it of meaning. That tension — wanting the kingdom’s promises without the king’s rule — explains much of the confusion, frustration, and shallow discipleship we see today. Forgiveness without reorientation. Grace without governance. And when that happens, faith becomes shallow — not because people are insincere, but because something essential is missing. A Kingdom changes how you live. What you value. What you trust. What you obey. When we reduce Christianity to belief alone, we strip it of the very thing Jesus emphasized most. Jesus’ invitation was clear: “Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand.” Repent does not mean feel bad. It means change your mind. A changed mind leads to a changed direction. A changed direction leads to a changed life. You don’t add the Kingdom to your existing life. You reorient your life around it. That’s why seeking the Kingdom always feels disruptive. It challenges: my priorities my assumptions my sense of control But it also brings clarity. Because the Kingdom of God is not something you wait for. It is something you live under. THE END Scripture Read slowly. Do not rush. Pay attention to Jesus’ language. Mark 1:14–15 This is Jesus’ opening message. Notice what He announces before He explains anything. The Kingdom is not an afterthought — it is the starting point. Luke 17:20–21 Watch how Jesus corrects expectations about the Kingdom. He does not point people to the future, but to a present reality they are missing. Matthew 6:33 Pay attention to the order Jesus gives. What comes first — and what is promised to follow? Matthew 13:44–46 Notice the language of value and cost. The Kingdom is not forced on anyone; it is chosen when it is truly seen. Christian Thinkers C. S. Lewis — Mere Christianity Book IV, Chapter 1 — Making and Begetting Book IV, Chapter 2 — The Three-Personal God Why these chapters: Lewis makes a clear distinction between moral improvement and receiving a new kind of life. The Kingdom of God is not about becoming a slightly better version of yourself — it is about entering into a life that originates in God Himself. George MacDonald — Unspoken Sermons The Kingdom of God The Child in the Midst Why MacDonald: MacDonald insists that the Kingdom is not postponed or symbolic. It is present wherever God is trusted and obeyed. Childlikeness is not immaturity — it is wholehearted allegiance. Weekly Reflection Questions Do I think of Christianity more as forgiveness, or as a new way of living? Where in my life do I still act as if I am the final authority? What would it look like to seek the Kingdom first — not someday, but now? Take one reading this week. Sit with it. Don’t rush. The Kingdom of God is not something you think about — it is something you learn to live under. Next week, we’ll look at what it actually means to live as a citizen of that Kingdom — in ordinary, everyday life. Listen to Previous Weeks: Week 2: Authority: Who Is Actually In Charge of My Life: Week 1: What is a Disciple? /episode/index/show/57d663b6-abf7-4ed7-98d4-e9c9d6829813/id/39806935

Authority: Who Is Actually in Charge of My Life? 01/15/2026

Authority: Who Is Actually in Charge of My Life? Week 2: Welcome back to another episode of Applied Christianity. This is Episode 2 of a 52-week journey towards becoming a true disciple of Christ Last week, we talked about what a disciple actually is. Not a label. Not a belief system. But a person who is learning to live the way Jesus lived. Today, we need to talk about something even more foundational — authority. Because many people believe in Jesus, admire Jesus, even talk about Jesus, but quietly remain in charge of their own lives. Discipleship does not begin with effort. It begins with surrender. THE AUTHORITY PROBLEM Most of us were taught to invite Jesus into our lives. But Jesus consistently invited people to give their lives to Him. In Luke chapter 6, Jesus asks: “Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” Calling Jesus Savior allows me to receive. Calling Jesus Lord requires me to follow. Authority feels threatening because it removes our illusion of control. Most of us don’t resist Jesus because we hate Him. We resist Him because we’re afraid of what we might lose if we stop managing our own lives. We tell ourselves we’re being careful, responsible, or wise. But often, we’re just protecting ourselves from uncertainty. Control feels safe. Surrender feels risky. But Scripture never presents control as a virtue. It presents trust as one. After His resurrection, Jesus said: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.” You can receive forgiveness without ever surrendering control. But you cannot follow Jesus that way. There’s an important reason Scripture consistently calls Jesus Lord before it calls Him Savior. Jesus does not become Lord because we believe in Him. He is Lord — whether we submit to Him or not. What changes is not His authority, but our response to it. In modern Christianity, it often sounds like Jesus is first offered as Savior, and then, if we’re ready, He can become Lord later. But that’s not how Jesus spoke about Himself. Jesus does not save us so that we can remain in charge. He saves us by bringing us under His rightful authority. Salvation is not just rescue from guilt — it is rescue from self-rule. When we reverse the order — when we want a Savior without a Lord — we shouldn’t be surprised when discipleship stalls and fruit never grows. SELF-RULE VS CHRIST-RULE When I remain in charge: I decide what I obey. I decide what I ignore. I decide what makes sense. When Jesus is Lord: Obedience comes before understanding. Trust comes before clarity. There is a cost to remaining in control, even when that control looks reasonable. When I insist on managing my own life, I may avoid certain risks — but I also quietly limit transformation. Control promises safety, but it never delivers peace. It tells us, “If I stay in charge, I can prevent disappointment.” But what it really prevents is trust. This is why many believers feel stalled. Not rebellious. Not disobedient in obvious ways. Just… unmoved. We obey where it feels safe. We trust where outcomes seem predictable. And we hesitate where surrender would require real faith. Jesus never invited people to manage Him. He invited them to follow Him. And following always involves uncertainty. That uncertainty is not a flaw in discipleship — it is the space where trust is formed. As long as I remain in control, my faith stays theoretical. But when I release control, faith becomes lived. This is why Jesus repeatedly connects discipleship with words like lose, deny, and take up. Not because He wants loss, but because nothing new can grow while the old authority remains intact. Control preserves what is familiar. Surrender makes room for transformation. WHY MANY LONG-TIME CHRISTIANS NEVER SEE LASTING FRUIT There’s something important we need to name here, because it explains a lot of quiet frustration — especially among Christians who’ve been in church for decades. Many long-time believers genuinely love God. They’ve believed for years. They’ve served. They’ve tried to be faithful. And yet, when you listen closely, the fruit of the Spirit — real joy, real peace, patience, gentleness — often feels temporary. It comes and goes. It’s situational. The reason is not lack of effort. It’s misplaced authority. As long as we remain in control, our sense of security is still tied to the world — to health, money, approval, comfort, certainty, or control. And when our security is tied to those things, fear never really leaves. It just hides underneath religious language. Joy becomes an emotion instead of a condition. Peace lasts only until circumstances change. Patience disappears when pressure arrives. You cannot force fruit. Fruit is not produced by effort — it is produced by life flowing through the tree. The moment we stop clinging to false security and truly allow Jesus to lead, something begins to change beneath the surface. Not instantly. But genuinely. When Christ is Lord: Peace no longer depends on circumstances. Joy no longer depends on outcomes. Patience no longer depends on people behaving well. Fruit appears because authority has shifted — and life is finally flowing from the right source. INVITATION This week is not about fixing anything. It’s about noticing. Where do I still insist on being in control? Where do I obey only when it makes sense to me? What am I still using as my source of security? You don’t lose yourself when you surrender to Jesus. You finally come under the care of someone wiser than you. As a reminder, 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. Read slowly. Do not rush. Luke 6:43–49 Jesus connects obedience, foundation, and fruit. Pay attention to what produces stability. Matthew 28:16–20 Notice the order: authority is declared before instruction is given. John 14:15–27 Watch how love, obedience, and the coming of the Holy Spirit are inseparably linked. Galatians 5:16–25 Pay careful attention to the difference between works of the flesh and fruit of the Spirit. Fruit grows; it is not manufactured. Christian Thinkers C. S. Lewis Mere Christianity Book IV, Chapter 4 — “Counting the Cost” Book III, Chapter 8 — “The Great Sin” Why these chapters: Lewis exposes self-rule as the deepest resistance to Christ’s authority and makes clear that Jesus does not assist our control — He replaces it. Pride, understood as self-sovereignty, prevents surrender and therefore prevents transformation. “Christ says, ‘Give me all.’ I don’t want so much of your time and so much of your money and so much of your work: I want you.” George MacDonald Unspoken Sermons “The Will of God” “Obedience” Why MacDonald: MacDonald insists that obedience is not loss but liberation, and that peace is impossible while the human will remains divided. True sonship begins when the will is willingly aligned with the Father. “The obedience of the child is the only true response to the Father.” Weekly Reflection Questions Encourage journaling. Do not answer quickly. Where in my life do I still insist on being in control? What do I rely on for security when circumstances become uncertain? What fruit might God be waiting to grow if I surrendered authority rather than managing outcomes? 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 Next week, we’ll begin to look at what Jesus actually meant when He spoke about the Kingdom of God — and why understanding the Kingdom changes everything about how we follow Him. /episode/index/show/57d663b6-abf7-4ed7-98d4-e9c9d6829813/id/39741365

What Is a Disciple? 01/05/2026

What Is a Disciple? 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 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 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 When did I first start calling myself a Christian? Have I ever consciously decided to follow Jesus rather than simply believe in Him? 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? /episode/index/show/57d663b6-abf7-4ed7-98d4-e9c9d6829813/id/39615860

The Subtle Shift: When Good Things Become Ultimate Things 12/29/2025

The Lie of Moral Injury: Why the World Can't Heal Your Soul 12/16/2025

The Lie of Moral Injury: Why the World Can't Heal Your Soul Episode 27: In this episode, host Gary Morris addresses skyrocketing anxiety, depression and suicide rates in our technologically advanced, prosperous world. Depression has doubled and suicide is now the second leading cause of death for people under 35, highlighting a direct correlation between this despair and a decrease in faith. The world’s tendency is to invent new secular explanations, such as "moral injury," defined as psychological and spiritual damage resulting from working in systems that force individuals to act against their values. It sounds logical, right? However, Gary explains how the real issue is people have cut themselves off from the only healing source, Jesus Christ. The world that created the problem cannot fix the soul or recreate true peace. Therapy offers coping mechanisms and medication can numb pain, but neither can deliver eternal peace. The Bible teaches believers to cast their anxiety on Christ, who promised victory over trouble, not a trouble-free life. America does not need another diagnosis like moral injury, but rather a return to discipleship, recognizing that the nation suffers from a faith epidemic, not merely a mental health crisis. Our next episode will launch in 2 weeks! Be sure to click on the Subscribe and Follow buttons. It's free. This way you'll received a notification when the next episode is available. 👉 Listen to some previous episodes: The Lost Mission: Making Disciples, not Donors https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/show/57d663b6-abf7-4ed7-98d4-e9c9d6829813/id/39238400 Why True Forgiveness Requires Repentance https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/show/57d663b6-abf7-4ed7-98d4-e9c9d6829813/id/39066985 Escaping Chaos and Returning to God’s Divine Order https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/show/57d663b6-abf7-4ed7-98d4-e9c9d6829813/id/38925025 Is Baptism Required for Salvation? https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/show/57d663b6-abf7-4ed7-98d4-e9c9d6829813/id/38576675 Where is the Proper Place to Worship? https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/show/57d663b6-abf7-4ed7-98d4-e9c9d6829813/id/38431430 Are You Feeling Stuck in Your Spiritual Journey? https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/show/57d663b6-abf7-4ed7-98d4-e9c9d6829813/id/38259175 /episode/index/show/57d663b6-abf7-4ed7-98d4-e9c9d6829813/id/39431410