Advertise on podcast: The Commands of Christ Podcast

What does it truly mean to love our neighbor as ourselves? Are we willing to pour out Christ’s love even toward those who are difficult to love?  In this episode, we consider the remarkable life of missionary and author Elisabeth Elliott through Christ’s command, “. .  .Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” (Matthew 22:39)  After her husband, Jim Elliott, and four fellow missionaries were killed while seeking to reach an unreached people group with the Gospel, Elisabeth responded not with hatred but with a desire that those responsible would come to know Jesus Christ. In an extraordinary expression of forgiveness, surrender, and love, she eventually lived among the very people who had killed her husband, sharing the Gospel alongside her young daughter. Her life reminds us that loving our neighbor flows from first knowing and receiving God’s everlasting love ourselves. As we surrender to Christ, deny ourselves, and allow His love to work through us, may we willingly pour out our lives for others—even when loving them is costly—so that a watching world might see the love of Jesus Christ.

How can we truly love God with all our heart, soul, and mind? What changes when we not only know that God loves us, but genuinely believe and abide in His love? In this episode, we consider the remarkable life of evangelist Henry Moorhouse through Christ’s great commandment: “. . .Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” (Matthew 22:37) Once caught in a life of rebellion, gambling, and sin, Moorhouse was pursued by the grace of God, transformed by Jesus Christ, and became a passionate preacher of the Gospel. Captivated by the truth of John 3:16, he proclaimed the love of God wherever he went and profoundly influenced D. L. Moody’s preaching and ministry. Moorhouse’s life reminds us that “We love him, because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:19) As we spend time in God’s Word, believe His love for us, and draw near to Christ, may His love increasingly fill our hearts and overflow into a life of wholehearted devotion to Him and love for those around us.

How do we honor earthly authorities while remaining wholly surrendered to God? What does a life lived in light of eternity look like when obedience to Christ brings sacrifice, suffering, and uncertainty? In this episode, we consider the remarkable life of missionary Adoniram Judson through Christ’s command to “. . .Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.” (Matthew 22:21) We see how Judson sought to honor governing authorities and serve with wisdom amid political turmoil, war, imprisonment, and persecution, while never losing sight of his greater allegiance to Jesus Christ. Through heartbreaking loss, years of seemingly little fruit, and tremendous personal suffering, Judson continued to give himself to the work of the Gospel. His life challenges us to pray for those in authority, walk faithfully before them, persevere when the fruit of our labor is unseen, and above all render our very lives to God. As those created in His image, may we live each day with eternity upon our hearts, surrendered to Christ for His kingdom and His glory.

Do we see the poor, hurting, and forgotten around us with the heart of Jesus Christ? Are we willing to surrender ourselves so that God can use us to meet both their physical and spiritual needs? In this episode, we consider the life of Salvation Army founder William Booth through Christ’s command to care for “the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind” (see Luke 14:12–14). Burdened by the desperate needs he witnessed in London, Booth gave himself to bringing practical help and, above all, the hope of the Gospel to those society often overlooked. His ministry embodied a simple concern for “others”—feeding the hungry, caring for human dignity, and proclaiming salvation through Jesus Christ. Even through suffering, opposition, and failing eyesight, Booth continued serving with remarkable perseverance. His life challenges us to look beyond ourselves, see those in need around us, and allow Christ to have all that we are so that His love and light might flow through us to others.

How can we learn to pray with childlike faith, trusting God even when circumstances seem impossible? What might God do when we take Him at His Word? Through the life of George Mueller, we are reminded that “. . .all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” (Matthew 21:22) From caring for thousands of orphans to witnessing remarkable answers to prayer, Mueller’s life testified that God is faithful, hears His children, and delights to provide according to His will. As we meditate on Scripture, bring our needs before our heavenly Father, and walk through trials that strengthen our faith, we are encouraged to look beyond the “fog” of our circumstances and fix our eyes on the living God, asking in faith and trusting Him to work for His glory.

How deeply are we pursuing God, and does prayer hold the central place in our lives that Christ desires? Through Jesus’ declaration that His house should be “called the house of prayer” and the life of A.W. Tozer, we are reminded that true spiritual influence flows from communion with God. Tozer’s ministry called believers away from shallow, entertainment-centered Christianity and back to a wholehearted devotion to Christ. As we seek the Lord personally through His Word and prayer, we are drawn into greater unity with one another and become the kind of people whose lives point others toward Jesus. May we pursue God with such sincerity that our churches become houses of prayer and our lives bear the simple testimony of men and women who truly belong to Him.

How can we follow Christ’s example of greatness through humble service, and are we willing to serve those others overlook? Through the life of Silas Told we see that true greatness in God’s kingdom is found not in being served, but in becoming a servant. After Christ transformed his life, Silas devoted himself to teaching children and ministering to prisoners—especially condemned men facing death—bringing them the hope, peace, and salvation found in Jesus. His example challenges us to go where the need is greatest, serve without seeking recognition, and faithfully point others to the One who “came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”

What does it look like to forgive when the hurt runs deep, and how can we keep walking in forgiveness when painful feelings return? Through Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 18 and the remarkable testimony of Corrie ten Boom, we see that forgiveness is not merely an emotion but an act of faith and obedience empowered by the Holy Spirit. As we remember how freely God has forgiven us for Christ’s sake, we can forgive those who have wounded us, and trust God with the healing process. Forgiveness may happen in a moment while healing takes time, but as forgiven people, we are called to forgive—believing that Christ can free our hearts from bitterness and lead us into His peace, love, and freedom.

How can a marriage remain strong under relentless pressure? What does it look like for husband and wife to reflect Christ and His Church through faithful love? Together we are encouraged by the testimony of Charles and Susie Spurgeon, whose life exemplified Christ’s design for marriage. As they faced demanding ministry, physical suffering, personal trials, and public criticism, they chose to draw nearer to Christ rather than drift apart from one another. Susie joyfully strengthened, encouraged, and supported her husband’s calling, becoming an indispensable partner in the work God entrusted to him. Their lives remind us that a Christ-centered marriage is sustained not by human strength but by God’s grace.

What does it mean to live a life fully consecrated to Christ? How do we guard our hearts against the pull of earthly possessions and instead treasure what is eternal? In this episode, we explore the life of hymn writer Frances Ridley Havergal through the lens of Jesus' command in Luke 12:15 to "beware of covetousness." Best known for beloved hymns such as “Take My Life and Let It Be” and "Like a River Glorious", Havergal not only wrote about surrender—she lived it. From joyfully giving away her earthly treasures to using her gifts for God's glory, her life points us to the surpassing worth of Christ and the freedom found in wholehearted devotion to Him. As we reflect on her remarkable testimony, may we be encouraged to lay up treasures in heaven, trust Christ completely, and offer our lives as a willing sacrifice for His kingdom and glory.

How does the gospel transform a single life into a testimony that points countless others to Christ? Together we are reminded that our hope is found not in human eloquence or ability, but in faithfully looking to Jesus Christ and proclaiming Him to others. From Spurgeon’s dramatic conversion through the simple preaching of Isaiah 45:22, to his lifelong ministry centered on the cross, we see that the power of God rests in His Word and Spirit. As we consider Christ’s command to "go to offenders," we are challenged to pursue those who have offended us with humility, forgiveness, and a longing for restoration, reflecting the Shepherd who seeks His wandering sheep. Even amid suffering, criticism, depression, and physical affliction, Spurgeon’s life testifies that God’s grace is sufficient. May we likewise rely on Christ, live out His commands with love, and seek to make our lives not only a testimony of what we say, but of what we faithfully do for His glory.

What does it mean to value the "little ones" as Christ does? How can compassionate faith transform grief into a ministry of hope? In this episode, we explore the inspiring life of Narcissa Whitman and her response to Jesus' command in Matthew 18:10 to "despise not one of these little ones." As one of the first women to cross the Continental Divide, Narcissa left behind the comforts of home to bring the gospel to the Native peoples of the Pacific Northwest. Through heartbreaking personal loss, faithful service, and sacrificial love for orphaned and vulnerable children, her life reflects Christ's compassion for the forgotten and the needy. Together, we are challenged to look beyond our own circumstances, embrace God's heart for the vulnerable, and faithfully serve wherever He has called us—even when the cost is great.

What does it truly mean to deny ourselves and follow Christ? In this episode, we explore the remarkable life of missionary David Livingstone and discover how his unwavering devotion to Christ embodied Jesus' call to "deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and follow Me" (Luke 9:23–25). As we trace Livingstone's journey through hardship, sacrifice, and faithful service in Africa, we are challenged to see that no earthly cost compares to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ. Together, we are encouraged to embrace daily surrender, and live in light of eternity, knowing that a life wholly devoted to Christ will bear fruit far beyond what we can see.

What happens when a believer remains faithful to the gospel in places where few are willing to go? In this episode, we explore Christ’s command to “beware of the leaven” through the life of missionary Samuel Zwemer, widely known as the “Apostle to Islam.” Driven by a deep love for Christ, Zwemer devoted his life to bringing the gospel to the Muslim world. Through years of sacrifice, suffering, bold witness, and unwavering commitment to biblical truth, he demonstrated the importance of keeping Christ preeminent and resisting the subtle errors that can draw believers away from the gospel. As we reflect on his legacy, we are encouraged to remain grounded in God’s Word, centered on the person and work of Jesus Christ, and faithful to His calling wherever He leads us. For more information, visit us at https://homediscipleship.com Find us on Facebook and Instagram @homediscipleship https://www.facebook.com/homediscipleshipnetwork https://www.instagram.com/homediscipleshipnetwork

What does it look like to honor our parents in a way that reflects Christ? How can faithfulness in everyday relationships prepare us for greater service in God’s kingdom? In this episode, we consider Christ’s command to “honor thy father and mother” through the life of evangelist D.L. Moody. Though God used Moody to reach millions with the gospel, his devotion to Christ was most clearly seen in the ordinary faithfulness of his daily life—his love for his family, his care for his widowed mother, and his commitment to living out the truths he preached. From his conversion in a Boston shoe store to his worldwide evangelistic ministry, Moody’s life reminds us that true spiritual influence grows out of a genuine walk with God. As we reflect on his example, we are encouraged to honor our parents, cherish the opportunities God gives us to love those closest to us, and pursue a wholehearted devotion to Christ that impacts both our homes and the world around us. For more information, visit us at https://homediscipleship.com Find us on Facebook and Instagram @homediscipleship https://www.facebook.com/homediscipleshipnetwork https://www.instagram.com/homediscipleshipnetwork