Commands of Christ Podcast

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.

We are reminded through Spurgeon's life 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.

In this episode, we explore the inspiring life of Narcissa Whitman and how she lived out 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.

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).

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.

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.

As we reflect on C.T. Studd's wholehearted surrender and passion for reaching the lost, we are reminded that only what is done for Christ will last. Together, we are encouraged to rest in Christ, and faithfully embrace His calling, trusting that a life lived for His glory is never wasted.

From a Civil War encounter spared by a hymn to countless opportunities to follow the Lord’s leading we are reminded, through the story of Ira Sankey, that God works powerfully through believers who cultivate intimacy with Christ and respond in faithful obedience.

In this message, we see through the life of Darlene Deibler Rose that Christ’s command to “fear not” calls us to trust the Lord more than our circumstances, feelings, or fears (Matthew 10:28). From the mission field of New Guinea to imprisonment under the Japanese during World War II, Darlene learned that Jesus could never be locked out, even from a death-row cell.

In this message, we are reminded through the life of William Wilberforce that Christ calls us to be “wise as serpents and harmless as doves” (Matthew 10:16). Though surrounded by the spiritual darkness and injustice of the British slave trade, Wilberforce’s heart was transformed by the gospel, and God used him to shine the light of Christ boldly in public life.