The 5 Minute Discipleship Podcast

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#506: The Importance of the Lord's Supper Jan 10, 2022

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The Big Idea:

As we participate in the Lord’s Supper, we recognize that you and I are called to be a part of the body of Christ. We are the church. We belong to each other. We need each other. It is a celebration of our friendship and fellowship with each other. It is Christ and his sacrifice for us that unites us. It’s what makes us overlook each other’s faults. It’s what helps us put up with each other, love each other, forgive each other, and serve each other.

Main Points:

1. Raking communion alone misses an essential part of why Jesus instituted this act of remembering. The word communion means togetherness, affinity, fellowship, and sharing. The biblical act of taking the bread and cup that we call communion is about collective sharing and remembering. Jesus wants us to not only remember his sacrifice for our sins, but he also wants us to do so together.
2. As we take the bread and cup together we recognize we are a part of the body of Christ. We are his church and his people. Jesus intended for us to serve him together. There is to be a mutual love for Christ and one another. We cannot do this alone and apart from other believers.
3. I encourage you to find a group of believers with which you can share faith and life. God never intended for you to live the Christian life isolated from other believers. Communion is one of the blessings God wants you to experience.

Today’s Scripture Verse:

Matthew 26:26-28 - “Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”

1 Corinthians 10:16-17 – “Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf.”

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#505: Boasting in the Cross of Jesus Jan 09, 2022

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The Big Idea:

Let our words be full of boasting about Jesus and his death on the cross. It is only because of Jesus and his sacrifice for our sins that we have received this salvation. Our testimony is found in the cross of Jesus.

Main Points:

1. If the Bible is clear about anything, it is clear about this one thing: Faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is essential for our salvation. Our good works, no matter how many they may be, will never be sufficient to pay for our sins.
2. God is not against righteous acts, just not righteous acts done in an effort to earn salvation. We don’t work for God to deserve salvation. We work for God because we have been saved. We do so out of gratitude for all God has done for us.
3. Boasting is the prideful expression of our accomplishments. Boasting says, “Look what I have done.” Since salvation is a gift from God, and we could never boast in our own accomplishments to earn it, what are we to say? Let’s say along with the Apostle Paul…

Galatians 6:14 - “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”

Today’s Scripture Verse:

Ephesians 2:8-9 - “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”

Isaiah 64:6 says, “All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags.”

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#504: When We Doubt Jan 08, 2022

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The Big Idea:

Strong faith is tested faith. Wrestling with your faith does not mean it is non-existent. It means you are in the battle of faith. God is not threatened, nor offended by our struggle with doubt. But what you do at that moment is critical.

Main Points:

1. The Bible doesn’t just portray stories of people who have perfect faith. It doesn’t paint a picture that true believers never doubt and never struggle with their faith.
2. What did John the Baptist do in his moment of weakness? He turned to Jesus. He sought out the evidence that would reinforce and validate his faith. He did not turn away from Jesus. He did not abandon his faith. He did not say, “If Jesus was the Messiah, I wouldn’t be facing these circumstances." No. Doubt led to a pursuit of more knowledge of Jesus.
3. Decide now what you will do when you face a faith crisis? Don’t let your doubt drive you away from God. Choose to be like John the Baptist. Let your circumstances cause you to pursue Jesus even more. As you do, Jesus said “there is a blessing for not stumbling in your faith.”

Today’s Scripture Verse:

Luke 7:18-23 - “Calling two of his disciples, he sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” When the men came to Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?’” At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind. So he replied to the messengers, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”

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503: Finding Your Hope in God Jan 07, 2022

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The Big Idea:

There is only one thing that can give you lasting hope and that is a relationship with Jesus Christ. Our hope is credible because it is rooted in three realities: the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the reliability of God’s Word, and the realization of God’s grace.

Main Points:

1. For the believer in Jesus, we have hope. In the midst of troubles and trials, we have hope. In the midst of uncertainty and insecurity, we have hope. When everything around us seems to fail, we still have hope.
2. Hope is a confident expectation based on the unchanging character of God.
3. As long as we have Jesus we have hope. As long as God is alive and on the throne we have hope. No matter what our world says, no matter what your struggles are, no matter what you feel today, this truth remains…there is hope in God.

Today’s Scripture Verse:

1 Peter 1:13 - “Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.”

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#502: The Danger of Procrastination Jan 06, 2022

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The Big Idea:

Time is a gift. Your life is a gift. You and I are managers of the time God has given us. As we start this new year consider what God is calling you to do. Don’t procrastinate. What steps do you need to take this month, this year to re-arrange your priorities to put God first in your life?

Main Points:

1. Live your life on purpose, not on accident. Why should we be careful? Because followers of Christ live in a way to honor God. Everything matters! We are also careful because we know that our lives are an example to others!
2. It’s important that we investigate and find out where our time is going. Are you losing time? Are you wasting time? Where is it going? Let’s identify the time-wasters.
3. Whatever God is saying to you to do…do it now. If you are planning to live for Christ do it now! If you are going to use your time, resources, and gifts for God, don’t mess around. Don’t make excuses. Use the time God has given you now.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Ephesians 5:15-17 - “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”

Proverbs 13:4 - “The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.”
Haggai 1:7 – “This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways.”

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#501: Attempting to Hide from God Jan 05, 2022

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The Big Idea:

Since creation, this is what humans have done when they sin: they hide. They wear masks. They lie to cover their shame. They attempt to cover their guilt so that their sin is not obvious to others. And we attempt to hide from God.

Main Points:

1. Though our natural inclination might be to hide our sin from God, the path to forgiveness is through confession. When sin is revealed, confessed, and repented of, sins are forgiven by our merciful God.
2. Shame has never been a part of God’s plan for our lives. Shame comes from the evil one who wants us to forever be condemned. Jesus didn’t come to condemn us. He came to save us.
3. This is the message of the gospel. No more hiding. No more shame. No more guilt. No more condemnation.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Genesis 3:8-10 - “Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?”He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.”
Psalm 69:5 - “You, God, know my folly; my guilt is not hidden from you.”

Ecclesiastes 12:14 - “For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”

Jeremiah 16:17 - “My eyes are on all their ways; they are not hidden from me, nor is their sin concealed from my eyes.”
1 John 1:9 - “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

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#500: The Call to Follow Jesus Jan 04, 2022

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The Big Idea:

The same call to follow Jesus has been given to you and me. We are not just called to salvation, we are called to live the life of a disciple, a follower of Christ. In this following we learn and grow and are changed. In the following, we too are able to fulfill our purpose.

Main Points:

1. Jesus tells us that if our desire is to serve God, we must follow him. What happens when we follow? Well, we relinquish control of the direction. We allow the other person to set the course and the direction. Following is an act of surrender. We yield the leadership to another. We submit to their leadership. We simply follow.
2. Jesus did not instruct his followers to go and make “Christians,” he commanded them to make disciples.
3. The original twelve disciples didn’t just believe in Jesus, meaning they didn’t just have a mental agreement that He was the Messiah. No, they believed so much that they followed him. Their faith changed their lives. And so it does today.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

John 12:26 - “If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.”

Matthew 10:38 - "“And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.”
Matthew 28:19-20 - “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”

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#499: The Mirror of God's Word Jan 03, 2022

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The Big Idea:

James is telling us that as we hear and read God’s Word it reveals who we really are. We see ourselves in the Word. It is a mirror. Just like a physical mirror, the Word of God always tells the truth. It is incapable of deceiving us. God’s Word will reveal our motives, our desires, and our inward condition.

Main Points:

1. Once we discover our true condition, once we see it in the mirror of God’s Word, we have a choice, don’t we? We get to decide what we will do with the truth that has been revealed.
2. The amazing thing about scripture is that it reveals all of who we are. It gives us a complete picture. Nothing is left hidden or out of sight.
3. Just as you look into a physical mirror each morning before leaving your home, you should look into your spiritual mirror. Don’t just be concerned about your outward appearance, be concerned with your spiritual condition.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

James 1:22-25 - “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.”

Hebrews 4:12 says, “ For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

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#498: The Process of Spiritual Growth Jan 02, 2022

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The Big Idea:

Here’s something worth remembering: You and I are not who we will be. You see, God is not finished with us yet. Our transformation is not complete. There is a sanctifying work God wants to complete in all of our lives, and if we submit to God’s process, He will complete his work in us.

Main Points:

1. When God looks at you and me, he sees our potential. He knows what we can be through the power of the gospel. Jesus changes lives.
2. I’m a firm believer that spiritual transformation occurs as we take our next steps. No matter how long you have followed Jesus, there is always a next step of spiritual growth.
3. We are often more focused on what we are to do for God than what God wants to do in us. Never forget this important spiritual truth: Doing flows out of being. What we do for God is a result of who we are becoming in God.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Philippians 1:6 - “I am confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

John 15:5 - “…apart from me you can do nothing.”

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#497: Looking Forward with Faith Jan 01, 2022

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The Big Idea:

As you look out in front of you today, there is a new day, a new horizon, and a new opportunity. What will you make of it? Where will you be in your life 365 days from today? The decisions you and I make today determine what we’re going to be tomorrow. The best way we ensure our preferred future is by doing the right thing today.

Main Points:

1. “Be more concerned about what is in front of you, than what is behind you. Pay attention to where you are going.”
2. Without faith you will not move forward in your discipleship and spiritual growth. Without a doubt, I know God will ask all of us to take steps of faith in 2022
3. One of the most discouraging words in our vocabulary is the word “someday.” Have you noticed “someday” never seems to arrive? Let’s change our vernacular to “today.”

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Hebrews 11:6 - “Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

Ephesians 5:16 says, “Make the most of every opportunity.”

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