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Making men MEN again. The David Alliance will help you slay your giants.
Episodes
10 hours ago
10 hours ago
Garth Heckman
The David Alliance
Is it hard for you to share Christ? Is it hard for you to say thank you? Is it hard for you to walk away? Is it hard for you to walk back? What does this have to do with anything? Well thats where we are going today.
LUKE 17
11 As Jesus continued on toward Jerusalem, he reached the border between Galilee and Samaria. 12 As he entered a village there, ten men with leprosy stood at a distance, 13 crying out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”
14 He looked at them and said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy.
15 One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God!” 16 He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan.
17 Jesus asked, “Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? 18 Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” 19 And Jesus said to the man, “Stand up and go. Your faith has healed you.”
Healed GK sozo - salvation
2 days ago
2 days ago
Garth Heckman
The David Alliance
Do you want to change the world? Heck if you just want to change yourself… It doesn’t take much actually, all you gotta do… all you gotta do is simply be willing to tick people off - pretty much every day. If you can handle that you are on your way…. And thats where were going today.
World-changing leaders, by their very nature, disrupt the status quo and challenge existing norms. This often leads to strong reactions, and anger can be a common response. Here are five main reasons why world-changing leaders make people mad:
- Threat to the Status Quo and Established Power: World-changing leaders often advocate for radical shifts in societal structures, economic systems, or deeply ingrained beliefs. This directly threatens individuals and groups who benefit from the current system, hold power within it, or are comfortable with the familiar. Their anger stems from a perceived loss of control, privilege, or stability.
Who was most mad at Jesus? The pharisees… and they had the power. They made the money, they called the shots. Jesus wasn’t just a threat to their Judean belief system, he was a threat to their power. They could no longer make money at the temple courts if Jesus keeps tipping over tables. The pharisees no longer had sway over the people as long as they were enamored by Christ teaching… the status quo had to go if you were a follower of Christ.
- Uncertainty and Fear of the Unknown: Change, especially on a grand scale, inherently brings uncertainty. People are often resistant to change because it pushes them out of their comfort zones and into unfamiliar territory. The visions of world-changing leaders can seem daunting, unrealistic, or even dangerous to those who prefer predictability and fear the potential negative consequences of such profound shifts. This fear can easily manifest as anger or resentment.
When a husband becomes sober all to many times the wife leaves him and marry’s another alcoholic… why? She doesn’t know how to live with a sober husband and the fear is to much to handle.
- Challenge to Personal Beliefs and Values: Many world-changing leaders challenge deeply held cultural, religious, or personal values. When a leader proposes ideas that contradict what people believe to be fundamentally right or true, it can feel like a personal attack. This can provoke a strong emotional response, including anger, as individuals feel their identity and moral framework are being undermined.
You may be to young to remember this, but when drums were introduced into the church worship service it split congregations. People would comment that if they wanted drums they would go to the bar… The values and beliefs were that this is corrupt music, it is sinful. But many pastors knew that to reach the lost they needed more contemporary music… HOW RADICAL RIGHT?
- Disruption of Personal Comfort and Routine: Even for those who might agree with the ultimate goals, the process of world-changing transformation can be disruptive to daily life and established routines. It might require significant personal sacrifice, adaptation, or a re-evaluation of how things are done. This inconvenience and the effort required can lead to frustration and anger, especially if people feel the change is being imposed upon them without their full consent or understanding of the immediate personal cost.
Lets say you are 50 years old and you really have not done anything to prepare financially to retire… but now you are. You put your wife and yourself on a strict budget and you start investing monthly… but your wife is used to shopping, and spending and getting what she wants… its a disruption to her normal life.
Or a wife wants to grow spiritually with her husband. She wants him to be the spiritual leader… she wants to get up early and read and pray with him… uhm… can anyone say disruption?
- Perceived Arrogance or Unrealistic Expectations: Visionary leaders often possess immense self-belief and an unwavering commitment to their goals. While this can be inspiring to some, it can also be perceived as arrogance or a disregard for practical realities by others. When their ambitious visions face setbacks or prove difficult to implement, those who were skeptical can become angry, viewing the leader as detached from reality or overpromising. Furthermore, if the leader pushes people too hard or has unrealistic timelines, it can lead to burnout and resentment among followers.
One of the most arrogant things Jesus said to the pharisees was if you destroy this temple I will rebuild it in 3 days. John 2:19. How cocky… how ridiculous and how Right he was. But not everyone will see it.
Look if you want to change the world or again just yourself - ask God to give you the strength to do just that regardless of what people think.
3 days ago
3 days ago
Garth Heckman
The David Alliance
Matthew the first book of the Bible…
The Book: One of the most important books of the New Testament, widely read and influential throughout Christian history.
* Provides a comprehensive account of Jesus' life, teachings, death, and resurrection
IT WAS WRITTEN BY LEVI (MATTHEW)
* Matthew was a beautifully crafted book written to the Jews. It is foundational to the other gospels.
* He quotes the old Testament over 100 times and eludes to it another 50.
*- He mentions the Kingdom 55 times
* - He mentions Kingdom of heaven 32 times
- - - Matthew was never mentioned after Acts 2?
History records that he was martyred in Ethiopia by sword.
His Social Standing:
- Wealthy due to his profession, but socially ostracized.
- Likely literate and skilled in record-keeping, essential for his work.
*and this is a good thing. He gives us the clearest historical picture of who Jesus is - which is what the Jews needed.
But he was a tax collector… they were hated by the jews. Many times you see in scripture where it says Jesus was with sinners and publicans which is a tax collector. This the scriptures way of telling us how the jews saw tax collectors…it would be like saying “this guy is bad, he is a sinner… but this guy… he is a tax collector… NOW THATS A SINNER!
But here is the twist…
- * History points to the belief that Matthew was the cousin of Jesus. Matthews father “Alphaeus Cephus” was the brother of Joseph- Jesus stepfather.
How hard is it for us to forgive people… pretty hard. But how hard is it for us to forgive family? EVEN HARDER…
Matthew obviously knew who Jesus was and now who he claimed to be. Jesus of course knew who Matthew was…
Jesus nicknames Levi “Matthew” which means gift from God. No one at that time looked at Levi and thought “gift of god” but rather curse from man or the roman government…. But Jesus saw who he could be….
Matthew was a tax collector - which meant
He was a copius note taker
Extremely educated and literate
Gifted in negotiation
Gift in debate and defense
Handling disputes
Detailed record keeping
ALL OF THIS REFLECTS HIS WRITING IN THE BOOK OF MATTHEW!
See when you come to Christ- he uses your past to be the framework for your future in faith.
4 days ago
4 days ago
Garth Heckman
The David Alliance
What do you love the most?
A certain type of food? Your spouses hips or lips?
Your job? The money you make? Your biceps? Your ministry? Your 1953 corvette? Your brand-new Mercedes? Your girlfriend? Alcohol? Drugs? Your phone?
Or maybe it is far worse than that? Maybe you are in love with…. Thats where we are going today!
What are you in love with… a lot of answers come to mind… but I believe they all stem from one basic foundation. We love to be approved by others. We love others approval. And we are willing to do just about anything to get it.
The approval of other people is so important to most because it's deeply rooted in fundamental human psychological and evolutionary needs. Here's a breakdown of the key reasons:
1. Evolutionary and Survival Instincts:
- Historical Necessity: For much of human history, belonging to a group or tribe was essential for survival. Being accepted meant access to resources, protection from threats, and the ability to find a mate and raise offspring. Rejection from the group could be a death sentence. This deep-seated fear of rejection and need for acceptance has been passed down through generations.
- Social Connection: Humans are inherently social creatures. Our brains are wired for connection, and social interaction plays a crucial role in our well-being. Approval from others reinforces our sense of belonging and validates our place within a community.
2. Psychological Needs:
- Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs: The need for belongingness and love, and then esteem, are fundamental human needs in Maslow's hierarchy, ranking above basic physiological and safety needs. Approval from others contributes directly to these levels, making us feel loved, accepted, and valued.
- Self-Esteem and Self-Worth: For many, external validation acts as a mirror, reflecting back a sense of their own worth. When we receive approval, compliments, or praise, it can boost our confidence and reaffirm our abilities. Conversely, a lack of approval or criticism can lead to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem.
- Fear of Rejection and Judgment: This is a powerful motivator. Many people seek approval to avoid the pain of being rejected, criticized, or judged. This fear can stem from childhood experiences where acceptance felt conditional.
- Dopamine Release: Receiving external validation, like likes on social media or compliments, can trigger the release of dopamine, a "feel-good" neurotransmitter in the brain. This creates a temporary sense of pleasure and satisfaction, which can lead to a desire to repeat behaviors that elicit this response.
- Social Comparison: We often compare ourselves to others to gauge our own performance, appearance, and social standing. Seeking approval can be a way to ensure we measure up favorably in these comparisons.
3. Childhood Experiences:
- Early Conditioning: Our early experiences, particularly with caregivers, heavily influence our need for approval. Children who receive consistent approval and validation tend to develop a stronger internal sense of self-worth. Those who experience neglect, criticism, or conditional acceptance may grow up with a persistent need for external validation.
- Learning Behavior: As children, we naturally look to our parents for recognition and validation when we accomplish something. This teaches us that external feedback is a way to understand if we've done "a good thing."
4. Societal and Cultural Factors:
- Social Norms: Society often has unspoken rules and expectations. Conforming to these norms can lead to increased social acceptance. Deviating from them can result in social exclusion.
- Social Media: The digital age has intensified the pursuit of approval. Platforms that revolve around "likes," "shares," and comments provide constant opportunities for external validation, which can become addictive and lead to an unhealthy reliance on others' opinions for self-worth.
Botton line is this - you seek peoples approval because you don’t know you you have Gods approval.
Look one of my favorite memories is competing as a powerlifter and pulling 670 in Masters division one - it was a grind… drug free, no suit, just me and the iron - and when I was done I had Donnie Thompson who was at the judges table taking numbers call me over and tell me that it was a great lift. Donnie thompson is on the mount Rushmore of powerlifters. The first one ever to hit a 3000 pound total. When he says Great lift - it doens’t really matter what anyone else thinks. He is the king of powerlifting. Well we serve another king who is the King of the world, the universe… and when we know we have his approval - nothing else matters.
Galatians 1:10 Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.
OOOHhhhh this is sooo good. Did you catch it? You serve the one who’s approval you seek. So whomever you are hoping to be approved by - you will do whatever it takes to show them you are their servant. The world loves suckers like you.
I live my life on one simple rule… If I know my relationship with God is good… then I don’t give two cats meows about what anyone else thinks about me, what I do, what I say, where I go, what I believe in, what I stand for or what I preach or post on social media. I don’t care - because God approves of me.
How do you know God approves of you? Well you don’t earn it. You don’t have to be special, you don’t have to be good enough… you simply trust in his grace and his work on the cross. And here is the real secret, when you know you have Gods approval, you are free to be exactly who he created you to be.
5 days ago
5 days ago
Garth Heckman
The David Alliance
Raffling off some cool gear
You can bid on some cool guy art
Great food
Meet some cool men who love God
Learn some great new skills and get to know Jesus more.
As I get older the best most enjoyable times in my life is not what I do, or what I say or where I go… it is simply sitting and watching…. And that is where we are gong today.
My favorite times right now are simply sitting around the table with all my kids, and all my grandkids and just watching and listening. They don’t do anything for me, they don’t wait on me, they don’t talk about how cool I am or what a awesome Papa I am… they actually almost ignored me… but they are in my presence and I am in theirs and its so refreshing.
The enemy doesn’t need to try to stop you if you’re willing to live a life without intent. If you’re a take it as it comes, Christian, trust me it will be taken from you. And you will never realize your God-given potential.
But there is a difference between living without intent and just resting in God. How many times I have had conversations with people who say they are in a dry spot. They are getting nothing out of their quiet times. I don’t want to minimize this.. because I have been in some pretty dry times.. but what I have learned the past few years in my time with God and in my dry times with God is so simple it is profound. I don’t need to feel God to be in his presence and even more shocking, he wants to be in my presence even I don’t pray to him or read his word… If I simply just sit and reflect on who he is and what he has done for me while practicing being in his presence he is happy. I have never had my boys when they were little, come into my presence and want to just sit on my lap or hang on my arm or just snuggle and I got mad becasue they didn’t talk to me, they didn’t do something for me… - it was simply enough for me to just have them in my presence.
And I would hate it if they felt like I was not enjoying that time simply because I did not say anything.
My quiet time is not about getting anything from God, but rather it is simply about spending time in his presence.
In Luke 10:38 When Mary sat at Jesus feet, Martha got mad. Martha told Jesus there are things to do, there is a list that needs to be filled and taken care of and Mary is just sitting there at your feet… she is doing nothing but sitting in your presence… Martha was busy doing, Mary was busy waiting. Jesus gently rebukes Martha that Mary has got it right.
I love the way the NLT says it - Mary discovered what was right.
Again, she said nothing, she did nothing, she wasn’t even supposed to be sitting at Jesus feet… but Jesus said “she is waiting in my presence and she’s got it right. Next time you feel down, dry - as if God is not in the same room… maybe just wait… don’t read more, don’t pray more, just wait in his presence. It can be the sweetest most rewarding time of all.
Thursday Jul 10, 2025
Thursday Jul 10, 2025
Garth Heckman
The David Alliance
Oli-go-pistis….
Losing confidence
If mustard seed-sized faith can save you, it can also bring you victory in every situation. Faith is not about volume—it is about trust. The same faith that moved you from Satan’s kingdom to God’s kingdom, from eternal death to eternal life, is the faith that can heal, deliver, and provide for you.
Think about the story of Peter walking on water. When Peter stepped out of the boat and walked toward Jesus, he was operating in faith. But the moment he took his eyes off Jesus and focused on the wind and waves, he began to sink. Jesus immediately caught him and said, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" (Matthew 14:31).
The example of a mustard seed is profound. In the natural, a mustard seed is one of the smallest seeds, but it grows into a tree where birds can rest in its branches. Jesus used this comparison to show that faith, though small in appearance, holds great potential when planted and nurtured. Faith is not stagnant; it is active and dynamic when exercised.
Unbelief: The Real Issue
In Matthew 17, Jesus’ disciples tried to cast out a demon but failed. They were confused because they had cast out demons before. When they asked Jesus why they couldn’t do it this time, He answered, "Because of your unbelief." Not because their faith was too small, but because unbelief was interfering with their faith.
Faith and unbelief are in a constant battle. It is not about increasing faith but removing unbelief. Unbelief comes from fear, doubt, and over-reliance on our senses. This kind of unbelief is removed through prayer and fasting (Matthew 17:21). Fasting and prayer focus our attention on God, quiet our flesh, and strengthen our faith by eliminating distractions.
Unbelief
- Spend time in the Word – Romans 10:17 says, "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." The more you immerse yourself in Scripture, the stronger your faith becomes.
- Pray and fast – Prayer strengthens our spiritual connection with God, and fasting helps eliminate distractions that fuel unbelief.
- Surround yourself with believers – Proverbs 27:17 says, "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." Fellowship with strong believers helps encourage and build your faith.
- Speak faith-filled words – Life and death are in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21). Speak words that align with God’s promises rather than words of doubt.
- Take action on your faith – James 2:26 says, "Faith without works is dead." Step out in faith and trust that God will honor His Word.
Tuesday Jul 08, 2025
Tuesday Jul 08, 2025
Garth Heckman
The David Alliance
Why should anyone make a million dollars. Jim Rohn used to ask his audience that… its a good question. His answer was not about what you could buy or the freedom it gave you… but rather something completely different… and thats where we are going today.
Thank you for listening around the world…
M3 Equipped conference September 6th. 8am - 5 and longer.
Speakers include Brandon LaRue of Well Built Body, Mike Kohnyu of Ageis Security, Mike Kirschbaum entrepreneur and pastor, yours truly Garth Heckman and a few guest speaker testimonies that will rock you like a hurricane.
Its great food,
Its free
Its for men
We will have some great vendors and a kick butt time to challenge each other.
If the battle has already been won, then why do we have to go through the war or the fight?
Simple, it teaches us how to walk in victory.
People who win a million dollars fall apart compared to those who earn a million dollars. Earning a million dollars means you had to learn a million dollars. Make sense? People who never went through the war of earning do not have the skill to walk in that wealth and multiply it. So we have the victory, but we must go through the war so that we learn how to walk in it and not abuse it.
Lets make it practical. God is in the middle of blessing me greatly, but I pray over my wife and kids that they go through the battle to learn how to walk in the financial blessing I pass on to them. They can’t live as millionaires or billionaires unless they first battle like millionaires and billionaires.
Acts 4:23 the disciples got busted for preaching the gospel and healing people. They get thrown in jail and then released after being beaten. They go back home and pray thanking God they were worthy to be beaten and then they pray for more boldness to preach the gospel.
**We already know God has given them all power and authority Matt. 28:19-21, so now they are simply praying GOD TEACH ME HOW TO WALK IN THIS.
It is a mindset shift. From knowing what I have to knowing who I am.
If I win a million dollars I have the mindset “I HAVE A MILLION DOLLARS.
If I learn to earn a million dollars my mindset is “I am a millionaire”.
That in itself says “I am a millionaire, meaning I know how to earn or make a million dollars”.
I am a farmer.. I know how to plant and grow a crop.
It would be weird for a farmer to say I own a thousand ears of corn… no, he understands he knows how to grow a 1000 ears of corn. So he knows he is a farmer, not an owner of produce.
It may seem like I am splitting hairs here but until you realize that who we are in Christ is more than just knowing what we have in Christ - but rather believing and KNOWING who we are in Christ. We won’t have this simple shift in our heads when life gets tough…
When problems arise or prayers are unanswered we shift to this thought process… God what are you trying to reveal to me so that I know that I know that I know who I am. When that happens, you dig in and really begin to grow in Christ.
Monday Jul 07, 2025
Monday Jul 07, 2025
Garth Heckman
The David Alliance
The most expensive Swiss knife
The most expensive Swiss Army Knife ever made is a luxury model produced by Victorinox in collaboration with Swiss jeweler Bonfort, released in 2004. It is covered with nearly 800 diamonds, totaling close to 4 carats, and features platinum or gold shells. Only 40 pieces were made (20 in platinum, 20 in gold), each priced at over $100,000. The knife includes standard tools like a large blade, small blade, nail file, nail cleaner, scissors, orange peeler, screwdriver, and tweezers, with all tools except the tweezers encrusted with diamonds. It comes in a solid aluminum suitcase with a diamond authenticity certificate
If you don’t need it, I don’t got it, but if you need it, I got it. Sounds corny but the truth is that is exactly what the word of God is like.
The Bible uses several vivid word pictures to describe God's Word, beyond the well-known metaphors of a lamp and a sword. Here are some key examples, drawn from Scripture:
Fire: God's Word is likened to a fire, symbolizing its power to purify, consume, and energize.
Jeremiah 23:29 - "Is not my word like fire," declares the Lord, "and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?"
Hammer: In the same verse, God's Word is compared to a hammer, emphasizing its ability to break through hardness and resistance, such as stubborn hearts or false beliefs.
Seed: The Word is depicted as a seed that, when planted in receptive hearts, grows and bears fruit.
Mark 4:14 - In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus explains, "The sower sows the word."
Water: The Word is described as water, cleansing and nourishing those who receive it.
Ephesians 5:26 - Christ cleanses the church "by the washing with water through the word."
Mirror: The Word acts as a mirror, revealing one's true spiritual condition and prompting self-examination.
James 1:23-25 - It compares someone who hears the Word but doesn’t act on it to a person who looks in a mirror and forgets their appearance.
Bread/Food: God's Word is likened to sustenance, essential for spiritual life and growth.
Matthew 4:4 - Jesus says, "Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."
Honey: The Word is described as sweet, delightful, and desirable.
Psalm 119:103 - "How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!"
Light: Beyond a lamp, the Word is a broader source of light, illuminating truth and dispelling darkness.
Psalm 119:105 - "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path."
Rain and Snow: The Word is compared to precipitation that nourishes the earth, ensuring growth and fruitfulness.
Isaiah 55:10-11 - "As the rain and the snow come down from heaven... so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty."
Treasure/Gold: The Word is portrayed as precious and valuable, worth more than material wealth.
Psalm 19:10 - "They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb."
Salt
And a few more…
These metaphors collectively highlight the multifaceted nature of God's Word—its power, beauty, necessity, and transformative impact on those who engage with it.
If you need it, Gods word provides it.
Sunday Jul 06, 2025
Sunday Jul 06, 2025
Garth Heckman
The David Alliance
Matthew 19:3 The Pharisees also came to Him, testing Him, and saying to Him, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?”
4 And He answered and said to them, “Have you not read that He who [a]made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ 5 and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? 6 So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”
NOW THE PHARISEES ARE DOING WHAT THE WORLD DOES RIGHT HERE… THEY WANT JESUS TO FOCUS ON TWO THOUGHTS.. ONE-DIVORCE IS ALLOWED FOR ANY REASON AND TWO DIVORCE IS ONLY ALLOWED FOR ADULTERY.
**But Jesus flips the script and does not focus on Divorce but rather on marriage. He focuses on the covenant between God and Man and his wife. The term “whatsoever God has joined together” When you want to divorce your spouse for any reason you run the risk of divorcing God… when you lust you not only break a covenant with your spouse but with God, when a woman fantasizes about security in another man she breaks the covenant with God and her husband… this covenant makes marriage a whole new mindset.
7 They said to Him, “Why then did Moses command to give a certificate of divorce, and to put her away?”
8 He said to them, “Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. 9 And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery.”
Moses allowed it due to hardness of heart. Meaning… your sin will justify your decisions. Rather then understand how marriage gives you a great grounds to practice Gods love (i.e. he loved us while we were sinners, he forgave us continually, he chose us as his bride knowing we would blow it) - we could practice this with our spouses… but we don’t - we have hard hearts.
**hold the phone.. what is this saying: It is saying something profound so don’t miss it. Gods permission is not his perfect will or desire. So don’t confuse the two.
Just becasue God allows it, does not mean God ordains it or blesses it. Maybe thats why second marriages are higher in divorce than first marriages… just saying.
10 His disciples said to Him, “If such is the case of the man with his wife, it is better not to marry.” THE DISCIPLES REALIZED HOW HARD MARRIAGE WAS… AND IF THERE IS NO REAL WAY OUT OTHER THAN ADULTERY THEY KNEW THEY WOULD BE STUCK… UNABLE TO USE ANY EXCUSE TO DIVORCE.
**AND LETS BE HONEST MOST DIVORCES ARE EXCUSES BASED ON OUR NEEDS NOT GETTING MET.
Biblically We don’t marry for our needs to be met - but we do… smh. This is why divorce is so high in our world today. When we feel cheated, slighted, ripped off, - when we feel like our expectations are not being met we blame the other person and choose divorce.
But if God ordained it… then it must be good right? What does it mean ordained it. Simple. He ordained for marriage to be hard. Like somone once said “you don’t get married for a good time, you get married for a long time”. Marriage is the singe best way to be placed in a position where you absolutely need God in order to make it in life.
Not health issues, not money issues, not mindset or intelligence issues… NOPE, its marriage that will drive you mad unless you have Jesus on your side to help YOU - not your spouse, but you.
Marriage is the hardest and the best thing going for you if you truly want to be more like Jesus. Rely on him, seek him and know that he will use marriage to make you Christ like.
Wednesday Jul 02, 2025
Wednesday Jul 02, 2025
Garth Heckman
The David Alliance
NO TDA over the 4th of July Weekend… But I will see you on Monday the 7th.
When did it happen?
You thought you were good at something and then realized you had so much more growth ahead of you.
When you had more questions than answers.
When you realized this is the secret sauce to mastering something.
When you understood you should have done this a long time ago.
When I was taking guitar my teacher Jeff Schroedl was amazing. He still is. His band Altered 5 is a blues band that has won numerous awards.
Matthew 28:18Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.
*Key point: Great leaders don’t create followers, they create leaders. Great Disciples don’t create followers of Christ, they create people who create followers of Christ.
In these few simple verses we tend to focus in on Power and Authority, the Making of Disciples and even baptizing new converts and we even highlight that this is a command… but what do we miss. Well by logical conclusion one can determine that the key to all of these is Obedience.
Five key reasons you need to learn discipleship:
- Obedience to Jesus' Command: Jesus directly instructed his followers to "Go and make disciples of all nations...". Learning discipleship is an act of obedience to this fundamental command, demonstrating our willingness to follow his instructions. This obedience is a way of expressing our love for him…
Obedience is greater than sacrifice - thats what scripture says. Without obedience you are just like a non Christian except you will go to heaven… You will be judged for your disobedience and your lack of following through on his commands.
- Spiritual Growth and Maturity: Discipleship is crucial for ongoing spiritual development. It's not about reaching a point of "knowing enough" but about continuously growing in Christ. It fosters a deeper understanding of biblical truths, the application of faith in daily life, and the development of Christ-like character.
You ask anyone who moved from student into the role of a teacher and ask them which was more challenging, which taught them more… without a doubt it is being a teacher. When you disciple someone that is when you really start to grow and mature in Christ.
- Building Stronger Relationships: Discipleship creates opportunities to build deep, authentic relationships with other believers. These relationships provide a supportive environment for mutual encouragement, accountability, and the sharing of life experiences. This strengthens the Christian community and fosters a sense of belonging.
People who go through war together have an unbreakable bond. Discipleship is many times war… spiritual warfare, but war none the less.
- Equipping and Empowering Others: Discipleship is a process of intentional mentorship where experienced believers guide and nurture newer ones in their spiritual journey. This empowers individuals to live out their faith authentically and to make a positive impact in the world around them. It also plays a vital role in carrying the gospel to others, even in least-reached communities.
- Living a Life Reflecting Christ: Discipleship involves imitating Jesus' example in our lives. This means not just hearing his teachings but also living them out through love, service, and sacrifice. It's a lifelong endeavor to become more like him in character and actions. This process includes cultivating a heart of love for God and others, actively serving those in need, and sharing the gospel with those who haven't heard.