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Welcome to the 100xLife Podcast! This is the place for anyone who desires to not just hear the words of Jesus but to live them fully. Together, we’ll explore what it means to experience the abundant life He promises, a life of purpose, growth, and transformation.
Each episode is designed to inspire and challenge you to put in the work of following Jesus, equipping you with practical insights and encouragement to align your life with His teachings.
Whether you're just beginning your faith journey or looking to deepen it, the 100xLife Podcast helps activate your next step toward the life you were created to live.
Rob Dayton (00:00)
you
Welcome to the 100X Life Podcast, where we activate people who desire to live the words of Jesus and experience the abundant life He promises. I'm your host, Rob Dayton, and I hope this podcast inspires you to put in the work of following Jesus.
Rob Dayton (00:36)
Hey, 100X lifers. Welcome back to the podcast. have an incredibly special guest with me, Jeff Gerhart, and I want to introduce him to you and get to know him. He's the CEO of the masters Program, but the intent of today's podcast is really to talk about the word of Jesus for the season. And just to cut to the chase, forgiveness number eight, we need to live that word and
I'm hoping that this conversation really helps you understand how critical your role in this next season is going to be and why forgiveness is such an important aspect of where we are as a nation, of where we are as a church, body of Christ, and the path that you're on. So.
Going to be so awesome. but let me welcome, Jeff Gearhart. Like I said, CEO of the Master's Program. He also has a business Centix which is a organizational health, business, which helps companies really get alignment on where they're going and clarity of vision with cohesive team model. turns out Jeff is the one who's responsible for encouraging me to do strategic culture,
which is coaching the executive teams of cities, which I absolutely, phenomenally love. So thank you for that, Jeff. And then he's the CEO of the Master's Program, apostrophe s and we're both graduates of that Program. We're both coaches in that Program. We wouldn't be talking about a hundred X life. If we weren't in the Program, it completely transformed our lives. In fact,
Jeff Gerhardt (01:58)
Yeah.
Rob Dayton (02:09)
I have mentioned in a crowded room at socials telling people about the Master's Program and saying, my gosh, this is the best thing that's ever happened to me. And then Nancy overheard me and, and addressed the room and said, what about me? And then I said, babe, me also addressing the room at this point. do you like your marriage before or after the Master's Program? And then she kind of.
there was a little pause and she's like, yeah, I guess the Master's Program is the most important thing you've ever done. So it's a pretty phenomenal to have you on the line, Jeff. just give us a little bit of anything more than what I said about what we need to know about.
Jeff Gerhardt (02:44)
You're more than generous. I married to Heather for 30 years. I've got three adult children. One at home still is the caboose. Two of them are married. So life is passing me by really, really fast, Rob. I get to live here in North Texas. And my passion is to see that right now, as we're talking about this season, that we would see men and women, but especially men, that would stand up
Rob Dayton (02:47)
You!
Jeff Gerhardt (03:09)
and find their place in God's kingdom, lean into their calling, getting so close to the Trinity, and in that intimacy, find their purpose to bring God glory. I think now is the time, now is the season for exactly that.
Rob Dayton (03:23)
Come on. And that's what we do. And, you know, I I'm sure for you, just like me, best day ever is in the room at the Master's Program. I actually find myself almost erupting kind of Holy Spirit volcanic eruption now, just talking about what you're saying. So I'm getting pretty jacked up even hearing you say it. And then how would you tie that to 100xLife Cause it's kind of interesting.
I talk about how in the Master's Program, really, a hundred X life is, is the call is, is the second call of God to call the transformation out of the four calls that we talk about in the Master's Program. How has it impacted you?
Jeff Gerhardt (03:57)
Well, first of all, it's a genius Program and it's tied exactly to what Jesus told us in Matthew 28 for us to teach the commands of Christ. And so the 62 day challenge has been incredible for me and the other groups that I've led with my sons and with other discipleship groups. But for me, I think the most important thing was being close to the Trinity and the way that praying and interacting with them
Rob Dayton (04:18)
Wow.
Jeff Gerhardt (04:23)
and understanding our God and what he wants to say to me, as well as to continue to refine all these things. You know, one of the things that I've always loved that you say, Rob, is that, you know, we're working out in the Jesus gym. And for me, if I can't discipline the rest of my life, how am gonna discipline my spiritual life? And having all of those things integrated, you know, you used to think of, or I did,
before the Master's Program, before what you put together is that all these things are actually separate pieces. But our body, mind, soul and spirit, if they have an agenda unto themselves, my body thinks one thing, my mind thinks something else, my spirit says something and my soul looks like something completely different, I have a warring entity inside of me, four different people inside of me that have different things.
all of those things coming under the command of the Holy Spirit and my spirit to work on me and to give me commands to get those things together so that they're all ordered together. So 100xLife sears all of that together into a routine of which, Rob, I didn't tell you I was gonna say this, but last night I was having dinner at the CEO of this company's house that I was working in.
And we had an opportunity to have a couple come over to be with us and the couple came in and and then and the man said I just got done doing ⁓ 100xLife He said I lost so much weight that that and and that it put everything together and and Rob I am not kidding you he was shredded ripped and and he said this has been so impactful. Do you know Rob Dayton? I'm like man. Yes, I know Rob.
Rob Dayton (05:53)
Wow.
Jeff Gerhardt (05:59)
So this is a shortest shout out to Ryan and Kristen Hensley, these great young couple that are super excited about 100xLife And I'm excited because it won't be long, we'll have another season of that to be doing that nationwide. So I'm a big fan, it's impacted me and a lot of people Rob.
Rob Dayton (06:18)
That's so good. I totally appreciate that. then Nancy and I are, putting a lot of money into that 501.c.3 uh, a hundred X live because we want to see it promoted before January 2nd. And so, you know, this is, I think the first time I'm telling it, saying this on the, on the podcast, but hopefully we're going to take this to the ends of the earth. It's truly my belief that if you live the words of Jesus, that the, the, the world will be transformed starting with your family.
your inner core, what you're talking about is pretty amazing that the inner core, which we've always talked about in the Master's Program, the Jesus gym has already been there, just putting words to it. And of course Jesus's words are, they're in red in the Bible and we're just highlighting them. Just give me the short list of transformation. And I love the fact that you're saying, this is where I got connected to God. This is where I felt connected to the Trinity and really felt like I could, I'm with them. I'm in
the secret place or in the throne room. Isn't that what we want to alter? That's kind of like the highest vision of what we do is to connect people to God.
Jeff Gerhardt (07:18)
deepest desire. know, we could repeat what David said, better is one day in your house than a thousand elsewhere. And it is the deepest desire for all of us to know why are we here and who is this person that made me and to be able to actually speak to and hear back. It's game changer.
Rob Dayton (07:35)
So good.
So good. I love that. okay, so let's get into this conversation because you and I, we really dance in this generational seasons, we got super turned on by Neil Howe and I'm forgetting his first name, Strauss, his partner, their book, which was released in 98 called The Fourth Turning. They had a book before that called Generations.
And they're historians at Harvard. and they, were studying the generational typologies within the nation, going back quite far, even before the revolutionary war and seeing if there's any kind of relationships. And as you and I know from Ecclesiastes to everything under heaven, there is a season. And so.
It's not it's no surprise in my mind at least that there's a generational seasons and they repeat in sets of four, kind of like the seasons that we experienced. So we're you know, we're in fall or just about to go into winter. And those seasons happen annually these seasons that we're talking about generationally. And Jeff, I want to get your I'm gonna I'll give an intro but you give me more flavor on that. These happen over an 80 year period, generally 20 years a season.
and they've been repeating in our nation. And before we explain this, why is this important? Well, if you're a farmer and you don't know the seasons, how the heck are you going to get food? How are you going to have sustenance? You, you have to know we plant in the spring. You have to know.
that late summer, fall, we are harvesting and then we store it for winter. And then we're waiting for spring to cultivate the soil and get it prepared for another season. And so the success of a farmer is knowing the seasons. And what we're talking about in this conversation is the success of the body of Christ also.
understands the seasons. We are people who are growing the kingdom. And if we're going to grow the kingdom well, we got to know the seasons and look at them and then move with them in effectiveness. So, Jeff, why don't you give us a little bit about some of the characteristics of those seasons in our nation before we talk about the spring we're on the precipice of having.
Jeff Gerhardt (09:45)
Yeah, you know, the seasons were built into the rhythms of life from the beginning. When God put the sun and the moon up into the sky and those created night and day, our bodies started feeling rhythm. And then what we would see fast forward to the times of the tribes of Israel and the named small tribe, the tribe of Issachar understood the times and knew what to do. It's because they were reading what was happening in pattern.
and therefore knew what to do. As you put it very, very well, Ecclesiastes, nothing under the sun is truly new. These things repeat themselves fast forward to Jesus's words. And he said, Hey, you're good at predicting the seasons for when to plant and when to reap. But you're fools as far as understanding the times that we're in right now. And so
What was beautiful about what Strauss and Howe did with an actual data study is to understand that 80 years makes what they call the seculum and 20 years creates all those seasons, just as you said. So here we are in the winter season. So what does that mean? Well, you could back up about every 80 years since today and see
the winter that was happening. last winter before that was World War II, 80 years before that, Civil War, 80 years before that, Revolutionary War, and you can continue backwards in that 80 year chunk and see where the winter was. And so what that means...
Rob Dayton (11:05)
So winter's
got, the winter's predominantly got worn.
Jeff Gerhardt (11:08)
Yeah, it's going to have either a war or a serious social revolution. So there's going to be some sort of schism that's going to lead to a new belief system. And so every, every war and every schism or that winter brings newness. Now what's beautiful about this is that God built into the rhythms of the world, just like the way that the acorn falls off the tree. And then all of sudden it's
planted and then later the Sun comes up and then all of a sudden trees start to bloom and that every cycle brings winter again towards death Spring towards new life summer for growth and fall to start to break down and prepare for the next winter And so if we were to put these things into roughly 20 year chunks We would say that the season that we're in right now this winter
started in roughly 2008 when the market crashed. The world felt that everybody felt it. I was living in Europe at the time and we completely felt it even though it was centered in the US. And so what that led to is a growing and deepening winter season. Now we can look on that and say, oh man doom and gloom all sorts of problems and 20 years, 2028 is that right? Well,
Some things to look at there is that we're gonna feel the earth and I'm gonna call it the birth pangs of getting ready for the spring through the rest of the winter, whatever that timeframe is. And it doesn't mean it's, no.
Rob Dayton (12:40)
And we really don't know. like,
and how I know you saw that economic forum, Tony Robbins, where Howe house spoke and would you say that the, winter has to have an up pronounced event that resets everyone into this new belief you're talking about.
Jeff Gerhardt (12:55)
And I'm not sure that we've had that singular event yet. Now, it's really hard to see in the moment. It'll be easier to see farther in the rear view mirror. But you know, we can point to all sorts of events from COVID to George Floyd to recently Charlie Kirk as
Rob Dayton (13:11)
All that predicted
in 1998 in the book The Fourth Turning
Jeff Gerhardt (13:16)
Isn't that incredible? mean, just incredible what they were able to predict by cycle. And these guys aren't palm readers or things like that. All they did is took the pattern and said, based on the pattern and what's coming in terms of technology, the way of the world, geopolitics, that they predicted some things that came true. And so what we can see is regardless of
what exactly will be the seminal event of the winter? What will be the thing that creates the new norm that's gonna grow out? What we should get ready for is the spring. Rob, and that's why I'm so excited about what we do. Because what we're excited about is raising up leaders. We believe that there is pent up power in pews. These people that show up on Sunday morning, sort of zombie'd into a church service, hoping...
to figure it out. And they rarely get an answer for what's God calling me to, what's my leadership look like in the kingdom. And that's what we want to turn people onto because when the spring comes, we want to be firmly planted, ready to be sharing the good news of salvation and that incredible gospel of the kingdom. And so getting in this move is it's the right time. And it's the old investment words of Warren Buffett, right? Is that
when everyone in the markets running in run out and when everyone's running out run in and everyone is running out or has been you just look at the church kind of look at Christianity in general and as it's sort of emptied itself and it's found itself super super entangled in politics and not in Jesus's mission I think there's there's just a rightness in this next generation to see Jesus lifted up all brand new and brand new ways
Rob Dayton (14:47)
Yes.
So cool. And then just some other things about that are pronounced, because we talked about war being in winter. The spring generation is characterized by a high regard for morality. Now, morality is not necessarily defined. the three typologies of spring that were in the past had variations of morality. And I think this is the main point in terms of knowing the seasons and preparing is.
And this is my belief. I'd love to hear your perspective, Jeff, is that the morality in the spring season is going to be defined by someone. And that someone is going to be the body of Christ. Let's say 100xLife, the words of Jesus or something else. And so that's why it's so critical.
Jeff Gerhardt (15:37)
Maybe.
Rob Dayton (15:42)
Uh, right now. then, one more thing I'll hand it back to you on, on a little bit more about the seasons, but the summer season, what's really incredible about the summer season is that generation is really open to spirituality. So it's almost based on the spring morality. The mind of the next generation becomes kind of open. And we had the Jesus movement was the last one, uh, definitely impacted in California to a very high extent.
and that movement's gone throughout the nation and has touched many, many people. And then I'll just to say it. There was also a summer season movement called the summer of love where the Beatles kind of were the, pastors, the church rejected the Beatles, which I think is really important to pay attention to. We don't want to do that again. Thank goodness for Chuck Smith, who saw a hippie.
who, who found Jesus on LSD, interestingly enough, and welcomed him in because he noted the Holy spirit was upon him. But the Beatles drove a summer openness to spirituality into Buddhism and into, drugs and, it really, really matters. These seasons really, really matter. And to be strategic in the church. Now, just another aside.
the church is most likely to say that the second coming is upon us in the winter season, which is exactly what's happened in the last 20 years. and you know, that could be true. That absolutely could be true past seasons. That wasn't the case for winter, regardless of whether Jesus comes back. My personal belief is I don't think he is. This is my personal belief. You can have a different one, but we have to prepare. We have to prepare for this next season as if he is not coming back.
Rather than having our escape mentality ready to pack our bags for heaven. We need to be preparing for this next season. Jeff thought any more thoughts on defining the spring, the summer kind of the prediction, the past.
Jeff Gerhardt (17:34)
So many thoughts, know, Rob, don't know if everyone knows this, but over the week here recent when the Jews celebrated Rosh Hashanah, there were many people that were believing this is the moment Jesus is coming back, right? And that cycle happens over and over again. Now, my approach to that.
Rob Dayton (17:50)
that people
predict that he's going to come back and then he doesn't.
Jeff Gerhardt (17:53)
Yeah, right. Which unfortunately lets a lot of energy out that shouldn't be escaped because we had this imagination that I've just got it all figured out. Now, I believe he's coming back, but I anchor my hope in where he is going to take me someday into that new earth. And I'm looking forward to his return, but I need to operate prepared for that.
Rob Dayton (18:00)
Yes.
Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
Jeff Gerhardt (18:17)
by living in today and everything that I can see today. So both of those things can be true at the same time without losing myself in one or the other saying it's gonna happen right away or it's not gonna happen for a while. So holding those two things together is the right tension that a leader puts together. But you look at every winter and whether you look at, I would say for instance, my belief is that FDR,
and what happened in the 30s through the 40s, it's sealed in a new system. And so what people were craving, what every group that's in the winter wants is order from chaos. And so the order that comes, boomers were born in the spring. And that's the old saying that you're born on third base and think you hit a triple.
Rob Dayton (18:53)
structure.
Jeff Gerhardt (19:01)
And for boomers, did. They were born in the spring and all of sudden, the United States is growing and becoming the superpower. And then as they're going onward, that summer happens as you talk very well. And that's when Xers were born. Xers were born in the summer. And so we also experienced the large portion of our growing up days believing in US greatness and superiority.
And all of sudden cracks start to appear with the space shuttle blowing up and things changing. And then the fall appears. So all of this to say is that here in the winter time, what we are going to experience is more chaos. And so let's not be afraid. In fact, the word the Lord's given me in the last couple of weeks is over and over, Jeff, do not be afraid.
Rob Dayton (19:43)
Mm-hmm.
Wow. Love that.
Jeff Gerhardt (19:52)
And we can't be afraid right now.
There's too many things that are going to change. And so your best opportunity, think back to COVID for a second, Rob, you remember this moment. You saw all these restaurants close. You saw businesses fold. And the reason that they folded during COVID is they weren't welcoming change. They weren't willing to adjust with what came. But those who had the gumption and grit to
Embrace the change they they benefited from it. They grew from it and and new business sprouted from it And so new life can come from this We can't run away from the change that God wants to bring and we have to be a part of bringing the order now that order that will come You you are so right. I want to see the body of Christ be a part of that new order and and creating a new system and creating new order
Rob Dayton (20:25)
Yes.
Come on.
Jeff Gerhardt (20:45)
but it won't just be what we've seen before. It will be a new order to share Jesus in new ways. And I'm really, really excited about what that revival, which I think perhaps we're at the beginnings of experiencing that revival, Rob. So we'd have to be ready for it.
Rob Dayton (20:54)
Mm-hmm.
Yes.
So good. I love that. I love that the Lord has on your heart. Do not be afraid. I think that that is amazing. I think that's important for people who are hearing that who might be in that place. I'm like on this precipice of excitement and I'm just like, I can't even contain myself. I'm so giddy about what's going on and our role and,
Anyway, I could go down a bunny trail. I am so excited. So we have this generational season. And so how does that relate to 100xLife? And also, I'll say it again. So in the spring, there's going to be an adherence to some form of morality.
Jeff Gerhardt (21:29)
Me too.
Rob Dayton (21:41)
And it's my belief that the people are who have really, you know, you're definitely probably one of those people. If you're hearing our voices is who has said, Hey, I really want to take seriously the commands of Christ, the words of Jesus, where he said, do this. want to renew my mind. want to repent, renew my mind so that I automatically have Jesus love behavior for the world. And so
as a whole, the words of Jesus, in my opinion, are going to be the best foundation for this new morality. But here's the thing, and this is what we want to shift gears now to forgiveness. If we do not if if we do not be strategic, just like a farmer strategic with with the right tilling with the right nutrients with with the right, pesticides, whatever that looks like to you, if we don't have that, then
Jeff Gerhardt (22:26)
Yeah. Scene.
Rob Dayton (22:30)
We're in my opinion, the body of Christ is responsible for how effective the morality resets to a biblical morality. doesn't and don't hear me wrong that we're I'm trying to set up a theocracy. No, I'm just calling the believers of Jesus to be influential in the way they've been transformed. we're not going to study to teach we're going to study to be transformed. Many of you done that with the words of Jesus and then that transformation is going to lead to an attractiveness.
an attractiveness, because that is the abundant life. So let's get into this because we had this and I've had two, I had two podcasts so far talking about this, like I almost cannot stop talking about the Charlie Kirk moment, the assassination, the big question that really flooded, I think the atmosphere, am I representing Jesus enough? Because when you go back and you look at his life, he is
not in church, he's on a college campus, and he's loving the people who he's disagreeing with. And rather than saying you're wrong and blasting them or trying to trick them, he's saying, look, this is the abundant life and it actually has a lot to do with Jesus. And the more I watched him and I know the same is true for you, Jeff. It's like, my gosh, like I wasn't following before but like this is a great representation of Jesus because it's kind.
It's loving, it's not holding back. And then he's assassinated for his words. so we've talked a lot about that. But then here's where the turnoff really comes. And this is where our conversation is going to really land on this word of Jesus number eight in the book, forgiveness, which is the word I think I believe for this season in preparing for the spring, we get to the memorial last Sunday, and
you had this juxtaposition of two very different views. You had everyone talking about Jesus, so awesome, one of the biggest I think they were saying it's one of the biggest worship services in the past three or four decades, which is just great, crazy. But you have, you have Erica Kirk in this moment, forgiving
Jeff Gerhardt (24:27)
sure.
Rob Dayton (24:33)
forgiving the man that shot her husband. And I think what made it powerful, and I'd love to hear your perspective, Jeff, but like what made it powerful for me is she just didn't say, forgive this guy. She said, Charlie was after men like this, Generation Z men who are lost. They're lost in this winter season and we're trying to find spring.
And this was my husband's mission. And it was this man who killed him. And therefore, I'm going to forgive this man because this was the I really felt like target of my husband's work. How could I not? And then I guess maybe an hour later, he had Trump say, Well, I don't forgive him, you know, maybe that's the right thing to do. But I don't I don't I hate my enemies, you know, and it was funny. But also like, what was your feeling in that moment? Because I got mine, but what was your feeling in them?
Jeff Gerhardt (25:21)
my heart sank really, you know,
Rob Dayton (25:24)
Rose
with the forgiveness and then sank with the unforgiveness.
Jeff Gerhardt (25:28)
Yeah, because it's such a poison. know, it's unforgiveness is I'm going to swallow poison and hope that you die and it doesn't make any sense. And so here we're looking at the president United States just embittered and so
Rob Dayton (25:41)
Not that he's
a Christian or not that he's a Jesus father. We don't really absolutely know. God knows.
Jeff Gerhardt (25:46)
I don't,
I don't, know, all sorts of words have been used that could, could say one thing or the other. And I don't know the man's heart. I just know that it doesn't matter who you are. Every image bearer who takes on unforgiveness, it's a poison pill and it rots your soul and it'll lead you down paths that are going to lead you to mistakes. not, just bitterness and lost opportunity, but true, true curses. so yeah.
Rob Dayton (25:57)
Come on.
Jeff Gerhardt (26:12)
Rob, mean, seeing her say these words, it was like that, that's right. And this is who we care about. And I wrote online in a post saying that I would die for the same because I would die to do the things that we are doing because I'm so passionate for those people. And by the way, let's look at these Z's, right? They've come into an economy that isn't the economy that you and I stepped into.
They have so much challenge, whether it's debt or how long does it take to buy a home? The average age is 38 now to buy a home. mean, starting, how can you start a family? We bought a home at 24. I just, I'm looking at an economy and a bunch of lost boys that are trying to figure out, I thought that all I had to do was go to college and everything would work itself out. And it just hasn't.
Rob Dayton (26:42)
Yes.
Yes.
Jeff Gerhardt (26:59)
been true. And we're gonna have to figure out that this wealth transfer, you know, this great wealth transfer that's happening from boomers and silent generation, as they pass away to these generations, how is that gonna work? And how are we going to help them? And how are we going to create an economy that that's going to raise these young men and women up to start families to live godly lives? We have to think about what we're going to do and
That's why forgiveness is so important, right? Because if I stay in the bitterness of the chaos that's gonna happen, and Rob, I think we're gonna have things that are gonna splat in our faces personally, and as a body of Christ to make us want to hold on to unforgiveness in this season. So we need to be in a stance with the full armor of God, ready to tackle it because...
Rob Dayton (27:36)
Yes.
Come on.
Jeff Gerhardt (27:49)
Otherwise that that that's just gonna eat us all alive We're gonna miss our opportunity in the spring because we'll look like everybody else And so our opportunity is to do just like Erica did Just like I know Charlie would have done is to forgive and and to be interested in those who need to be rescued
Rob Dayton (28:07)
That's, love what you're saying and how you're saying it. And I think this is where the path divides either way, we're going to go to this new morality in the spring season, but the path of vision in my opinion, and this is why I really wanted to have this conversation. know you've been feeling this too, is that
Jeff Gerhardt (28:17)
there will be a new morality.
Rob Dayton (28:23)
the two paths are a forgiveness path. It's the church path, the forgiveness path, and also unforgiveness, the church path. Like which one are we going to take? And that's going to make all the difference for what morality looks like. And a lot of these are my opinions. Of course, I believe them, but if you disagree with me, it's fine. But like to me,
All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. When Jesus says that, that means someone else has no authority. And then he says, I'm the light of the world. Five chapters later, you're the light of the world tag. You're it. and so we're this light of the world. are the body of Christ actually walking on planet earth, according to Paul with, with Christ as the head, the brain power, directing those things. it's a Trinity. then.
what we do matters. And so when we practice unforgiveness, you talked about the self-infliction that happens in, unforgiveness. And I think that is so incredible and, and, and meaningful to really marinate on and on that this is your best life is actually forgiveness. Poison is unforgiveness. And also when we don't forgive,
I think that's when we hand the authority that we've been given as the body of Christ, we just hand it over to the enemy. The enemy has no authority and power without, and there's other words of Jesus that we can ignore, but this one, forgiveness, is so big. We just are handing power over to the enemy when we do that.
So two things were taking the wrong path, but we're also empowering the enemy for this spring season if we don't have forgiveness as a preeminent discipline in our lives. And there's so many things. mean, Jeff, how many things are there to not forgive? Like categories personally, a societal family, political parties. Is this does this this hit you like it's hitting me? I'm getting so jacked just talking about it.
Jeff Gerhardt (30:11)
Yeah, it's as if I want to hand my enemy a hammer to beat me with and and so this is this is the thing Rob I think you have identified the thing that we need to lean into and and I think what you're saying there is that we want to you know work on all the the words of Christ but if there's one that we were just to get crazy about for this season okay first so when Jesus said
Rob Dayton (30:32)
for the season.
Jeff Gerhardt (30:37)
that our brand would be love, that we would be known by our love, and he prayed for us to have unity. This is what he was seeking for us and telling us to lean into. And so if I allow my flesh, and my flesh wants that, right, craves these things, my spirit, my mind needs to trump that and say no to my body. My body wants to.
Rob Dayton (30:40)
Come on, wow. Wow.
Jeff Gerhardt (31:01)
Hold out forgiveness, even though I'm going to give it to you eventually, but I need to hold on to it for a little Let it go. We've got to to to be forgiving now Rob
Rob Dayton (31:10)
That's that
internal fight you're talking about between the triune being the body doesn't want to forgive.
Jeff Gerhardt (31:16)
Right, Body doesn't want to, and this flesh that we've got, it's feeling like I need to hold up the brand of justice. Now, what we've been taught is that it's not mine to seek justice. God's going to make all things right. He will bring justice. And where the government brings justice, that's the instrument that God's put into place to allow for that.
but it's not mine to seek and to get even. This is, it just deteriorates me. And so if we want to lean into the opportunity and it's up to us, because as you said very well, Rob, there will be a new morality. Whatever morality you grew up on, it will not be the same morality or same moral code that will go from the, for the next 20 plus years, probably for the rest of our lives.
That we will experience a whole new code So what do want that to be and what are you believing for? And if you really want to see Jesus glorified Then it's got to start with forgiveness. Forgiveness has got to be center right now
Rob Dayton (32:20)
And it'll make all the difference in the season. Man, just, man, some of the things you said just hit me. I'm blown away with. And one of those that as you're talking, I'm seeing the past season we've been in, you talked about government versus personal forgiveness and we've had it reversed in the, the last 20 years where the government's forgiving and the person is, is, is not forgiving.
Jeff Gerhardt (32:40)
Right.
Rob Dayton (32:43)
And it requires a body of Christ that can do this internally, I can't can't say this enough. This is why it's so important to have this conversation is that we go to this new season, we need to reset in morality that is just very heavy on personal forgiveness. Yes, the state will still I love how you say that that the goddess put the state in power and they
are not the person who was hurt, they're representing the person was hurt, and they have a justice system. And that's, that's how God designed that to work. But we have to with all our might released, release people. then what you said, Jeff, I have not thought about before. And I'm so jacked up on it that
the brand of Christianity, man, like we talk about brands and organizational health the culture is how we do things around here. And so how we do things around here in the body of Christ is how we're going to define this next season and Jesus brand is love. I love what you said. So crazy cool. And we definitely are the representation of Jesus. And I got to tell you,
I want to hear what you think on that moment when Erica forgave that man. I was like, wow, that is almost the closest I the closest scent of Jesus on the cross that I've actually heard or experienced your thoughts.
Jeff Gerhardt (33:56)
Mm.
Yeah,
yeah, it reminded me of Stephen beat the martyr, you know, being stoned. And, you know, calling out, you know, Father, forgive them. It's just this, this is what we are, is who we are. This is our real DNA that as you said so well, Jesus, front and center on the stage, fantastic example of what it should look like. You know,
Rob Dayton (34:07)
Yeah!
And she said
the words she said the words like, Father, she said the words of Jesus, Father, forgive them for they know not what they do. And then, who am I to not do the same thing? This man who my husband was trying to assist and trying to bring to the abundant life. he didn't know what he was doing.
Jeff Gerhardt (34:36)
No. And that's the thing that the shooter here, for example, did not understand the eternal ramifications, the spiritual nature of what was going on. And I think there's something important for us to talk about here in forgiveness is that my concept of forgiveness is that I could forgive you silently and not bring it to you. But what we saw with Charlie Kirk,
Rob Dayton (34:55)
Mm-hmm. That's right.
Jeff Gerhardt (35:01)
as a great example is if you see everyone as image bearers, if you really love them, if you really love them, you're going to say things that are true to them, even when it's not what they want to hear. You know, to confront trans ideology, to confront the lies of abortion and all of the things that he did confront, it's to push the enemy back. Now,
Rob Dayton (35:05)
Yes.
Wow.
Jeff Gerhardt (35:25)
Certainly I need to do the forgiveness work for the personal, internal, spirit, soul, mind, body work that I need to do. But what we need to lean into right now is truth and grace. And that truth and grace that will show up will be that I love you and I'm going to tell you the truth, but I'm going to see you as an image bearer. And so just go back to the story of Stephen, right? Stephen...
Rob Dayton (35:38)
Come on.
Jeff Gerhardt (35:51)
does this incredible dissertation on Moses and how all of this works to Jesus. And of course, this is the moment that they all, you know, can't stand it anymore and they're gonna kill him. But he still said the truth and he loved them at the same time. And so let's be clear that all of this forgiveness and grace can't be absent truth. And we need to bring truth into the marketplace.
Rob Dayton (36:04)
Yes.
Mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm. That's good.
Jeff Gerhardt (36:18)
into the places that we work and we have to help people see the truth even when, even when it's counter to who they are, who they may even say that their identity says that they are. If we don't do that, we will do a great disservice. And we're not going to be able to make this imprint. If you believe that you want to have an imprint on the next morality that's coming, cannot be absent.
Rob Dayton (36:24)
Mm-hmm.
Jeff Gerhardt (36:41)
you bringing the truth of God into everything, into every relationship. If you leave the truth out, all of that will be very dysfunctional and ultimately lead to some sort of negotiated peace with the enemy that will not be what we're searching for. So, has to have the truth involved.
Rob Dayton (36:42)
Yes.
That's so good because, Jesus is the truth. he says, I am the truth. I am the way, the truth and the life, by the way, the way is to the Father's house. And it's so true. we're now we're holding intention. These two things where we're going to see people as image bearers. We're going to.
whatever they're doing to us or to anyone else, we're going to look past that and we're going to say, they don't know what they're doing. We're to look at the image bearer and say the truth, and this is who you are. We're not going to hold back on that. and it's that brand of love that you're talking about that really makes the whole exchange work because we, we want to be seen as people who
are lovers of people. That's all there is. It's just people. That is the creation. That's what we're after. We don't fight against flesh and blood. So really, really cool. I love this conversation. What would you say, Jeff, to people? because I think what we're saying, and you confirm it for me, I think what we're saying is we've got that we started with this very heady view of,
an 80 year cycle of seasons. We then we honed it in. Okay. We're right between the winter and the spring spring. Winter has war division. Spring has this reset of morality. Let's be a part of how this generation sees morality because the body of Christ is living it. How can someone listening to this, where do they begin? Like, where do they begin from this big, big vision picture to what can I do right now this week?
Jeff Gerhardt (38:26)
I think you need to ask the prayer that David said is to search me God and ask the Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit, who am I holding out forgiveness on? I mean, you must have heard the story. Tim Allen, just a couple of days ago, said that as a result of Erica Kirk forgiving Charlie's killer, that he decided to forgive his father's killer. And it just...
super impactful, right? And so seeing forgiveness is going to create forgiveness. so this is the thing then, okay, let's just listen for a moment. And Holy Spirit, is there someone that I'm holding out on, or someone that I need to have that conversation with? And will you give me truth and grace? Will you help me to see them as an image bearer? Because if I will spend the time with the Lord,
Rob Dayton (39:14)
Hmm.
Jeff Gerhardt (39:14)
and ask for that
from the spirit, I'll find if there's any meat on the bone. And if there is, I need to take care of business and close that out. And having closed that out, that's where we can lean into love. That's where we can bring the truth and grace and be after people's... You know what? Here's the thing. If you're thinking that this movement is gonna take a Bible-beating approach to things or...
Rob Dayton (39:19)
Come on.
Yes.
No.
Jeff Gerhardt (39:39)
Get on the corner
and holler and scream. It's not. Just think about all of your favorite restaurants that you like to share, that you love telling people about. tell people about this favorite thing that you've got with the Trinity. Talk about your time with them and just let that overflow and exude out of you so as just like you kind of know about this. It's so cool. And lean into that. first, Rob, this is why we're talking about this is to do the work.
Rob Dayton (39:51)
Yes.
Mm-hmm. Yes.
Jeff Gerhardt (40:05)
of forgiveness and make sure there's nothing in there that needs to be cleaned out and lean in to just talking about what you're so excited about in Jesus.
Rob Dayton (40:06)
Yes.
Oh my gosh. Yeah. let's just say the whole passage you bring up in Psalm one 39. is verses 23 to 24. Search me, Oh God, and know my heart test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the everlasting way. There's also a song back from, don't know if you're, do you remember this song?
Jeff Gerhardt (40:37)
I don't.
Rob Dayton (40:37)
search
me God and know my heart. Try me and know you don't know that one. This is Lake Avenue this back. It was back in the 80s or maybe I guess it was in the 70s. I love that you bring this up because I think that's a great prayer. if that one really resonates to you, let's let's get in the secret place with the with Papa. And do and just repeat or meditate on Psalm.
Jeff Gerhardt (40:42)
I don't but keep singing.
Rob Dayton (41:01)
139 That's verses 23 through 24. And then journal prompt for you maybe after you meditate on that is here it is Jesus whom in my life do I have contempt for? And I really wanted to be precise on that word contempt because if we're going to find the places of unforgiveness in our life, it will manifest in terms of contempt people that were you were kind of
talking about as being evil or talking about them as being, my gosh, how many times do we do that? in so many different circles right now with this whole, you know, bipolar society of left and right, you know, we need to understand who we have contempt for. So ask Jesus, who do I have contempt for? And then the second journal prompt, Holy spirit, what action shall I take
to move in forgiveness for this person? What do I have to do? What thought do I have to have? Holy Spirit, what is do I do? Do I need to say anything? Do I need to ask forgiveness myself and acknowledge the role that I'm playing? I've so many times in marriage, for me, and I know this is true for you and Heather is like,
it could be Nancy's doing all these things wrong. But as soon as I just do this little thing wrong in that conversation, now I'm liable and asking for forgiveness. Even if I think I was right about the whole thing. I'm like, dang, I did that wrong. Nancy, I'm so sorry for this thing. And that kind of posture, that kind of personal work that kind of personal transformation guys.
That's what's going to be the signature in your life as you're in the grocery store, you're at work, you're on a zoom call, you're doing life with your neighbors and doing what Jeff said, just sharing what is, what is the life in you? We're not telling them a teaching because you studied, give them a transformative experience. Can you imagine talking to your neighbor about how you forgave someone? And I, and I love that story that you shared.
What was the was the actors name who did that? Tim Allen, you know, and and that is like one of thousands of stories that we've been hearing the impact of your ability to be transformed and then people seeing that that is the fruit. The 100xLife, the seed of the word of God is actually in the fruit, the transformation that you experience. So when they see you transform, that's when they actually get it.
Jeff Gerhardt (42:59)
Tim Allen.
Rob Dayton (43:23)
the authenticity of the word of Jesus, because you're just handing them in kind forgiveness. So powerful. Jeff, any final thoughts as we leave this podcast in such a great conversation?
Jeff Gerhardt (43:35)
Man, it's so much fun talking to you. I think the final thought is we only get one shot at this life and then eternity. So let's make it count. Let us be the generation that will bring a whole revival and Jesus be glorified through us. So lean in, now's our shot.
Rob Dayton (43:52)
Come on, I love that. Have an eternal mindset. Life is so short. Guys, thanks so much for this. We're praying for you. May you be blessed in Jesus' name that you would have this personal transformation and have this serious about forgiveness. And we'll see you next week.