The 5 Minute Discipleship Podcast

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#516: Faith in God's Ability to Provide Jan 20, 2022

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The Big Idea:

I’m sure there is some area of your life in which you need God’s provision. Whether it be the provision of finances, strength, peace, encouragement, direction, or even hope. Let’s choose to believe that God will never fail.

Main Points:

1. I am struck by the sheer, raw faith of Abraham. At this time, Abraham didn’t know how God would provide. He didn’t know what would happen, but he did know that God had made him a promise concerning his son. God would not fail him.
2. Abraham was being tested by God. He was being asked to give up the thing that was most precious to him in this world. Would his faith in God be more important than anything else?
3. Faith in God’s provision is a choice. As I face my current situation not knowing what God will do or how he will do it, I will be like Abraham. I will lift my voice and say with confidence, “God himself will provide.”

Today’s Scripture Verse:

Philippians 4:13 - “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”
Genesis 22:2 - “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.”
Genesis 22:7-8 - “ Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?” “Yes, my son?” Abraham replied. “The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together.”

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#515: The Golden Rule Revisited Jan 19, 2022

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The Big Idea:

The only capacity we have to live out the Golden Rule is with the love of God flowing through us. Let’s ask God to fill our hearts with his love so that we can genuinely reflect it to others.

Main Points:

1. In Matthew chapters five, six, and seven, Jesus gives his most famous teaching, and his lengthiest recorded sermon. We call it the Sermon on the Mount. In these chapters Jesus teaches us about the Kingdom of God. In 7:12 Jesus gives us a one verse summary statement that today we call, “The Golden Rule.”
2. This verse is easier quoted than lived. In fact, it’s not natural to obey this verse. It’s more likely that, because of my carnality and my sinful nature that I would treat people as I think they deserve.
3. A transformed heart leads to transformed relationships. It is only as we are changed by Jesus that our relationships begin to change.

Today’s Scripture Verse:

Matthew 7:12 - “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”
Galatians 5:14 - “For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

2 Corinthians 5:17 - “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

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#514: Not Ashamed of Jesus Jan 18, 2022

Show notes

The Big Idea:

Imagine being ashamed to speak about Jesus because we were more concerned about someone’s opinion of us, potentially someone we don’t even know. Yet, this happens all the time.

Main Points:

1. Christians have been told by our culture that we are not to share our faith in Jesus. It’s rude, inconsiderate, and even offensive to talk about Christ, or so we’ve been told.
2. I don’t share this to shame you for not being more bold for Christ, but to inspire you to ask God for more courage. It takes courage to speak up for Jesus. It takes courage to live your values in a public way. It requires courage to take a stand for God.
3. My prayer is that God would give us courage. Though we may face criticism, rejection, and opposition, may we be bold with this life-changing message of the gospel.

Today’s Scripture Verse:

Romans 1:16 - “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.”

Luke 9:26 - “Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.”

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#513: Sometimes God Says No Jan 17, 2022

Show notes

The Big Idea:

My prayer is that your faith in God will be so strong that you will continue to trust God, even when he says no. I’m praying that you will hold onto God, even when you don’t understand. I’m praying you’ll be able to say along with Job, “God is faithful, and though He slay me, I will still trust in Him.

Main Points:

1. Every person listening to this podcast has struggled with the sovereignty of God. This is where we exercise our faith. Either we come to the place where we believe God is good, or we don’t.
2. Sometimes God says no because He can see what you cannot see. God has a bigger perspective. God sees the whole picture of your life: your past, your present, and your future.
3. If you have experienced a “no” answer from God, affirm your belief that He has a purpose behind everything He does, even when he says "no" to your prayer. Let this be a time of putting your trust in His sovereignty and care.

Today’s Scripture Verse:

Isaiah 55:8-9 says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Hebrews 4:13 - “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”
1 Peter 1:6-7 NLT - “There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.”

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#512: Why Confession is Still Important Jan 16, 2022

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The Big Idea:

Sin thrives in the darkness, but confession brings it in the light. Freedom is found in confession. Now you are no longer alone in the struggle. You have a trusted friend and prayer partner who will join you in the struggle and who can hold you accountable.

Main Points:

1. Is there a place for confessing our sins to one another? Is there a biblical call for this type of confession?
2. Find a trusted Christian friend or leader, someone with spiritual maturity, and someone who can keep your confidence. When we confess it can free us from the heavy burdens of unresolved sin and remove hindrances to the work of the Holy Spirit.
3. Confession breaks the power of secret sin. Confession brings us to a place of honesty before God and others. We no longer live a lie, we now are open about our struggle and this brings us to a place of forgiveness and healing.

Today’s Scripture Verse:

1 John 1:9 - “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Matthew 5:23-24 - “If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.”

James 5:16 - “Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.”

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#511: Discovering Jesus is Enough Jan 15, 2022

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The Big Idea:

It seems to be human nature that you and I tend to find our security in everything else except God. We find security in our bank account, our family, our job, our home, our relationships, you name it. And often, it isn’t until these things are taken away that we finally learn to lean on the Lord.

Main Points:

1. In life it’s possible for us to develop crutches that help us stand spiritually and emotionally, instead of trusting in God.
2. Sometimes God will remove our crutches to help us learn that our faith must be firmly planted in Him. In doing so, we learn that God is more than enough.
3. True security is only found in Jesus Christ. No matter how many friends you have, no matter how much money you have in the bank, without Jesus you have no security.

Today’s Scripture Verse:

2 Corinthians 12:9 - Paul said, “God’s grace is sufficient for you, God’s power is made perfect in our weakness.”

2 Corinthians 9:8 - “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”

Philippians 4:19 - “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

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#510: Learning to Feed Your Soul Jan 14, 2022

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The Big Idea:

A sometimes forgotten area in which we need deliberate feeding is our spiritual life. Without spiritual nourishment, we will be weak. We won't have the strength to stand for God in times of difficulty, temptation, and testing. Just as we daily feed our physical bodies, we must learn to daily feed our souls.

Main Points:

1. If you are expecting one sermon a week to provide all the spiritual nourishment you need, you are mistaken. We need daily nourishment and you can learn to feed your own soul.

2. Do you find yourself being weak spiritually? Does it feel as if you have no power to live for God? Are you powerless against temptation? Do you struggle loving God and others? Does it feel as if you have no desire to go to church or to join with other believers?

3. If we are honest, we may not have much appetite for the Word of God and prayer, but as we persist, we begin to experience the spiritual nourishment that comes. We begin to experience God’s presence and power in new ways and we begin to develop a greater spiritual appetite.

Today’s Scripture Verse:

Matthew 4:4 - “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

John 6:35 - “Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”

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#509: God's Grace for the Humble Jan 13, 2022

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The Big Idea:

It takes humility to become a Christian. We first humble ourselves and admit that we are sinners and that we can’t make it on our own. We confess our need for Christ's sacrifice on the cross. Prise is rejected by God, but grace is given to those who humble themselves before him.

Main Points:

1. Though humility is rarely talked about in today’s culture, it is a character trait God highly values.
2. Pride is the wall that will keep any sinner from a relationship with God and God loves sinners so He hates pride. Pride can lead us to exclude God from His rightful place in our hearts.
3. In my life I cannot be prideful and God be great. It can’t happen at the same time. Either I think God is great or I think I am great. Let’s recognize God’s greatness and humble ourselves before him.

Today’s Scripture Verse:

James 4:6 - “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

1 Peter 5:6 says “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.”

Romans 12:3 - “For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.”

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#508: Paying Careful Attention to our Thoughts Jan 12, 2022

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The Big Idea:

God has given us the weapons necessary to fight this inner battle. Why is this important? Why are our thoughts important? Because our emotional life follows our thought life, and our choices, decisions, and behaviors follow our emotions. All of your battles begin in the inner life. How will you respond? How will you react?

Main Points:

1. We develop well-worn thought patterns without even realizing them. If we don’t pay attention to our thoughts, if we aren’t prayerful and careful, we begin to follow thought patterns provided by our own sinfulness and the carnality of the world around us.
2. We must guard our hearts against the pattern of this world. Our sinful human nature falls easily into selfishness, negativity, and a critical spirit. The result is an empty soul. Let’s allow God’s Word to bring cleaning to our hearts and minds.
3. With God’s power you can change your thoughts and as you do so, you will change how you feel, you will change your words, and you will change even your behavior.

Today’s Scripture Verse:

2 Corinthians 10:5 - “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
Romans 12:2 - “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

Philippians 4:8 - “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

Luke 6:45 - “…For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”

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#507: Faith is our Shield Jan 11, 2022

Show notes

The Big Idea:

Though we are in a spiritual battle, God has given us the armor necessary to withstand Satan’s attacks. An essential piece of our battlefield equipment is our shield. This shield is our faith. Confidence in God’s character and power extinguishes all the flaming attacks we face.

Main Points:

1. Because we have a limited vision and an insufficient perspective we don’t always see and we can’t always understand. I can only trust. If we could understand it all we wouldn’t need faith. If everything always made sense and we could make logical, rational arguments to all of life, we wouldn’t need faith.
2. The Bible teaches us that as believers, we are in a spiritual battle. This spiritual battle attacks our faith. It threatens our belief in God and his faithfulness. So, how can we protect our faith in God?
3. Biblical faith is having a sure, steady, and unwavering confidence in the character, goodness, and plan of God. This faith results in our believing what God says and trusting what He does (whether we understand it or not).

Today’s Scripture Verse:

Ephesians 6:16 - “In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.”
John 8:44 - “…for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”

Hebrews 11:1 - “Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”

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