The 5 Minute Discipleship Podcast

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#1,077: Spiritual Hunger Sep 13, 2024

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The Big Idea:

Any attempts at finding joy, satisfaction, and fulfillment apart from God always leave us empty. Yes, there may be temporary moments of happiness and perceived satisfaction, but it is never lasting. Millions of people can testify that they never knew real joy until they knew Jesus as Savior and Lord.

Main Points:

1. As real as our physical hunger is, we have another type of hunger that is just as real. It’s spiritual hunger. There is an emptiness that we will attempt to satisfy. Often we will not recognize this hunger is spiritual.
2. There is satisfaction found in Christ that cannot be found elsewhere. The sweetness of God’s presence, the richness of His grace, and the fellowship with the Holy Spirit bring us to a place of being complete in God. There is no lack. Our needs are being met. Our hearts are full of joy and our lives are at peace with God.
3. Jesus did not simply die and rise again so we could gain Heaven. He gave His all so that we could know him and live in a relationship with the living God. It is in this pursuit of knowing and serving God that we find fulfillment.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Psalm 37:4 - “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

John 6:35 - “Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.”
Psalm 63:1-5 - “You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water. I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.”

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#1,076: Can God Heal My Broken Relationship? Sep 12, 2024

Show notes

The Big Idea:

There is one key that is necessary for a relationship to be restored. It requires forgiveness. I’ve never seen a broken relationship restored without forgiveness.

Main Points:

1. A relationship can break down from neglect. A relationship can break down from conflict. A relationship can break down from misunderstanding. The world is filled with broken relationships. We see it all around us. You may have some broken relationships in your life.
2. I know God can heal the pain in our hearts and enable us to offer forgiveness to others.
3. Let’s put our faith in the God who can do the impossible. Let’s ask him to do miracles and to restore our relationships, and let’s be willing to do the hard work of forgiveness and reconciliation.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Romans 5:10-11 – “For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”

Colossians 3:13 – “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

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#1,075: The Message of the Cross Sep 11, 2024

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The Big Idea:

We understand that those who don’t believe in Jesus, can’t see the immense value of the cross of Jesus. But there is also a danger for the believer. There is the danger of the cross and the gospel message becoming so familiar to us that it loses its value, its meaning, and its impact in our lives.

Main Points:

1. The message of the cross must be the central truth we believe and proclaim. Without the cross there is no forgiveness of sins, there is no freedom from the power of sin, and there cannot be a relationship with God.
2. For Jesus, the cross meant obedience. Jesus as a sacrifice for our sins was a concept that originated in the heart of our Heavenly Father. Out of His great love for us, God created a plan of salvation.
3. From our human perspective, one of the most inconceivable truths about Jesus is that he, the eternal Lord of glory, was willing to humble himself like that for our sakes. This is what Jesus did for you and for me. He stepped down from a position of equality with the Most High God to share his riches with us.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Isaiah 53:10-11 - “It was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life a sin offering…after the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life.”

Isaiah 53:3 - “He was despised and forsaken of men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and like one from whom men hide their face.”
2 Corinthians 8:9 – “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.”

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#1,074: Through Suffering We Become Stronger Sep 10, 2024

Show notes

The Big Idea:

I don’t believe there is anything that causes our spiritual roots to grow deeper than suffering. Most of us listening today have experience with reaching out to God in hard times. It’s here that we grow in our faith, we experience God’s grace, strength, and peace. In times of suffering, we learn that the promise is true. God will never leave us or forsake us.

Main Points:

1. No one wants to suffer. None of us want to go through hard times. Yet, we understand that the difficulties of life come to all of us, believers and unbelievers. Many things we face are unexplainable on this side of Heaven.
2. What we are discovering is that, in a spiritual sense, suffering produces some wonderful things in our lives. There is spiritual growth that we cannot experience any other way.
3. My prayer for you is that whatever you are facing today, you’ll give your questions to God. Even if you can’t find an immediate answer, you’ll hold onto to your faith. Recognize he is at work in your life and your roots are going deeper.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Philippians 1:29 - “For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him.”

1 Peter 2:21 - “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.”

Romans 5:3-5 - “we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”

James 1:2-4 - “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

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#1,073: The Blessing in Giving Sep 09, 2024

Show notes

The Big Idea:

I’m convinced that most of us listening today would say we have been blessed by God. In fact, many would say that we have been greatly blessed and blessed beyond what they deserve. God has been so good to us. So what do we do with our blessings?

Main Points:

1. Jesus teaches us that the blessing is found in the giving. The blessing is found in the serving. The blessing is found in ministering to the needs of others.
2. Continually, the scripture speaks to the heart and motive behind our actions. The Bible teaches us that if we give to be seen by others, well, then we have our reward. If our motive in giving is to receive something back, we give with the wrong motive.
3. Remember this truth today: We have been blessed to be a blessing. What are we to do with our blessings? We are to bless others. Proverbs teaches that those who hoard their blessings will no longer be blessed. The blessing is found in the giving.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Acts 20:35 - “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
Proverbs 11:25 - “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”

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#1,072: Does Absolute Truth Exist? Sep 06, 2024

Show notes

Where do we find absolute truth? We find truth in the Bible. What God says is true, and it is true absolutely. There is no wavering in God’s truth. Truth does not change according to polling data or by decisions handed down by Congress or the Supreme Court. Why? It is God’s truth. Truth is what God says.

Main Points:

1. We don’t usually think of a belt as a piece of armor, but the belt was important because the breastplate was tied into it. The belt even held the sword and the helmet when they were not in use. It was the first piece of armor that was installed.
2. The Apostle Paul gives us this image: we should tie up all the loose things in our lives with the belt of God’s truth. If we are going to stand when attacked we must have a firm grip on spiritual truth.
3. Studies conducted by the Barna organization showed that only 22% of Americans believe in absolute truth. It is no wonder so many people lose more spiritual battles than they win. It’s no wonder they get tripped up in Satan’s schemes.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Ephesians 6:14 - “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist.”
John 18:37b-38 - "Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” “What is truth?” retorted Pilate.
John 8:32 - “you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

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#1,071: God's Word is Eternal Sep 05, 2024

Show notes

God has ordained that His Word would last forever. No man can destroy the Word of God. It remains throughout every season and every generation.

Main Points:

1. Scripture has never been more available than it is today. As of September 2020, the full Bible has been translated into 704 languages, and the New Testament has been translated into an additional 1,551 languages. Now, through the means of technology, Scripture is even more available to us than it ever has been before.
2. Since the enemy’s attempt to destroy the Word of God has failed, he has changed his strategy. Today his work is to discredit the Bible. We are told that any thinking person couldn’t possibly take the Bible seriously.
3. Since the devil cannot keep this book out of our hands, he now attempts to keep the book out of our hearts. As we read Scripture we come to know the author of the book. These words are life to us. Satan knows that if you read the Word of God it will change your life.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Isaiah 40:8 - “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.”
1 Peter 1:25 - “But the Word of the Lord remains forever.”

Matthew 24:35 - “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”

Psalm 119:89 - “Your word, Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.”

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#1,070: The Prayer of Surrender Sep 04, 2024

Show notes

Out of all the prayers we pray, there is one prayer that is more difficult than all the others. It is the prayer of surrender. The prayer of submission to God is harder than all other prayers. It requires great trust in God. It demands a letting go of our control. It’s releasing the situation in God’s hands and trusting Him to meet the need as He sees best.

Main Points:

1. The reason this prayer is more difficult is because we like control, or at least the illusion of control. If I sincerely pray for God’s will to be done, I have to allow for God’s will to be done.
2. While the prayer of surrender is often the hardest prayer we pray, it is the most rewarding. God rewards those who submit to his will.
3. Let us pray along with our Savior, “Father, not my will, but your will be done.” Let’s be willing to pray this most difficult prayer of surrender, acknowledging that God knows what

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Matthew 6:10 - “…your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
Matthew 26:39 - “not my will but your will be done.”
Hebrews 5:7 - “During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.”

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#1,069: Will We Ever Be Satisfied? Sep 03, 2024

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Satisfaction apart from Christ is an elusive search. Our flesh craves more and more. More everything. More anything. No matter what we have, whether it’s money, possessions, recognition, sex, accomplishment, or experiences, we still want more. Yet, like Rockefeller, we have discovered that more doesn’t satisfy.

Main Points:

1. What is satisfaction anyway? The dictionary defines satisfaction this way. It is the fulfillment of our wishes, expectations, or needs, or the pleasure derived from this. From this definition alone we begin to understand why satisfaction from this life is so difficult to find.
2. Hear this truth today. Only Jesus satisfies. He is the only one who can fill the longing of your soul. Only Jesus can meet our inmost needs.
3. Apart from Christ, our souls are thirsty. They are parched. We need living water that only comes from one source. This living water is a relationship with Jesus Christ. We take this drink, we experience this satisfaction as we place our faith in Him and begin a relationship with the living God.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Isaiah 55:1-3 - ““Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live.”

John 4:13-14 - “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst.”

Psalm 107:9 - “For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.”

Jesus told his followers in John 6:35 - ““I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst."

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#1,068: Jesus Was Fully God and Fully Human Aug 30, 2024

Show notes

Jesus leaves the glory and majesty of Heaven and takes on flesh and blood. He becomes one of us. He doesn’t leave his deity behind, but he takes on humanity. He is fully God and fully human at the same time. Yes, it is miraculous.

Main Points:

1. Not only does Jesus take on humanity. He moves into our world, our neighborhood, our very lives. He experienced what we experienced. He knew joy, happiness, friendship, love, temptation, sadness, frustration, and sorrow. He even experienced suffering and death on our behalf.
2. This is what Jesus has done for you and me. He moved into our lives. He moved into our families. He moved into our neighborhood.
3. We have a Savior who knows, who understands, and who cares. On His initiative, Jesus came to earth to live as we live, to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for our sins. What an incredible thought. Jesus moved into the neighborhood.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

John 1:1-5 - “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

John 1:14 - “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

John 1:14 MSG - “The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood.”
Hebrews 4:15 - “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”

1 Peter 5:7 - “Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”

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