The 5 Minute Discipleship Podcast

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Most Popular Episodes: Greatness in the Small Things May 14, 2024

Show notes

Think about this: You might miss greater opportunities from God if you can’t be trusted to obey God in the small things. There is a powerful question embedded in this verse: Can you be trusted with obeying God in the small things? Will you seize the small opportunities God gives you, recognizing they truly make a difference?

Main Points:
1. So often we miss these opportunities to serve God because they are small. We don’t recognize them as a chance to be a blessing to someone because, after all, it’s such a small thing. Instead, we are looking the big things. We are looking for open doors that are larger, more influential, and more notable. Yet, the great things done for God are really small things done with faithfulness.
2. Imagine a lifetime of being faithful to serve others, to encourage the discouraged, to pray for someone in need, to courageously share your faith, to feed the hungry, and to reach out to someone who is lonely. The cumulative impact of consistent small opportunities is staggering.
3. Think about what is missed when we miss our opportunities. Others miss experiencing the blessing of your contribution in their life. They miss your prayers, your encouragement, your witness, and your wisdom. But you also miss out. You miss the joy experienced when we step into these God-opportunities. You miss the fulfillment that comes when we serve the Lord. And you miss the will of God for your life.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Ephesians 5:15-16 - “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity.”

Matthew 20:26-28 - “Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Luke 16:10 - “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much.”

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Most Popular Episodes: Changing Your Habits May 13, 2024

Show notes

It’s through the power of the Holy Spirit that we are able to break the patterns of the world that we have lived by for so long. Now, through Jesus, we can be transformed, and this transformation takes place by a renewal in our minds. As a result, we begin to live by new patterns. Holy patterns. Holy habits.

Main Points:
1. In today’s culture we sometimes talk about habits in their negative connotation. We’ll say, I’m struggling to break some bad habits.” But what if you could form some new habits. What if you and I developed some holy habits? What if we created some habits that helped us grow spiritually?
2. In addition to the habit of prayer, what if we developed the habit of reading God’s Word each day? What if we made time to worship each day? What could happen in our lives if we reconnected with being a part of a church each weekend? There are many wonderful habits you could create that would deepen your walk with God and enable you to be a blessing to others.
3. Imagine starting the habit to encouraging someone every day? Or, creating the habit of regularly using your gifts, talents, and time in a ministry? You could develop the habit of tithing to support your church, or even giving above the tithe to support missionaries who are sharing the gospel message.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Romans 12:2 - “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

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Most Popular Episodes: Until Christ Returns May 10, 2024

Show notes

If you really believed that Jesus would return tomorrow, what would you do differently from what you are now doing? Would you maintain the same schedule you have set for yourself? Would you adjust your plans?

Main Points:
1. Yes, as believers, we are waiting for Christ’s return, but our waiting is not passive. It is an active waiting. I believe there are three primary things we are to do as we wait for the return of Christ.

2. God gives each of us opportunities to represent him and to tell of his saving grace. As we wait for his appearance, we take advantage of these opportunities. We don’t ignore them. We don’t neglect them. We must be intentional about telling others about Jesus because time is short.

3. Christ is coming. That is a certainty. He will appear. It very well could be today. Are you ready for his return? Are you watching and waiting with anticipation? Are you staying busy doing his will so that when he returns he will find you being faithful?

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Revelation 22:20 - “He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”
Titus 2:13 says, “we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.”
Matthew 24:44 - “So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”

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Most Popular Episodes: Peace in the Midst of the Storm May 09, 2024

Show notes

Remember this, we serve a God who can bring peace in the midst of the fiercest storm. He’s never faced a storm he couldn’t calm.

Main Points:
1. Many of you find yourself in the midst of a storm. Some of you are facing storms in your relationships. Some are facing heath storms or financial storms. Others are facing storms in your work or even your ministry.

2. With just a word, Jesus can calm your storm. All we have to do is be like the disciples and turn to him. Cry out to him today. He will either calm the storm in our outward circumstances, or he will calm the storm inside you. Either way, there is peace in the midst of the storm.

3. Instead of focusing on the size of your storm, focus on the size of your God. He is fully capable of handling anything you are facing. You are not alone in your storm. He is in your boat. Look to him today for the peace you need.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Mark 4:38-41 - “The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

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Most Popular Episodes: Our Battle With Worry May 08, 2024

Show notes

I’ve found that often times worry has to do with the fear of what could possibly happen. They haven’t happened. We don’t know if they will happen, but we fear it could happen. This internal stress causes anxiety, fear, and apprehension. Not only can it make us emotionally and mentally unwell, but it can also cause physical illness too. Is there a cure?

Main Points:

1. The dictionary defines worry as giving way to anxiety or unease: to allow one’s mind to dwell on difficulties or trouble, whether actual or potential.
2. So, is there an answer? Is there a cure for worry? Is Jesus’ command to not worry about our lives possible? What can we do?
3. I believe the answer is found in worship. In fact, it’s very hard to worry and worship at the same time. Worship reorients our focus. A shift is made. A transition happens in our thoughts and in our spirit. As we worship our savior, we focus on his greatness, his goodness, and his faithfulness. We begin to remember that he is in control and there is nothing he cannot do.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Matthew 6:25 - “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life."
Matthew 6:25-26 - ““Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”

Matthew 6:27 - “Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”
Philippians 4:6-7 - “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

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#1000: What is a Disciple? May 07, 2024

Show notes

Someone once said, “'A student learns what his teacher knows, but a disciple becomes what his master is.” Isn’t this the goal of the Christian life, to become like Jesus in our character and conduct?

Main Points:
1. What is discipleship? I like this definition by Pastor Tony Evans. He wrote: Discipleship is that developmental process that progressively brings Christians from spiritual infancy to spiritual maturity so that they are then able to reproduce the process with someone else. The singular, overarching goal of a disciple is to bring all of life under the lordship of Jesus Christ and then help someone else to do the same.

2. From our salvation experience until we see Jesus face to face, we are on the journey of discipleship. Everyday we are to be learning, growing, and becoming all that God has for us. Our prayer should be, “Jesus, I want to be more like you today.”

3. Take up your new life in Christ and lay down your old one. Embrace the goal of daily following Jesus and becoming his disciple.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Matthew 16:24 - “Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”

Luke 14:27 - “Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.”

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#999: Developing a Biblical Worldview May 06, 2024

Show notes

As a Christian, we must allow the Word of God to determine how we see and interpret the world around us. This will only happen if we consistently read and meditate on scripture. As we do so, the Bible influence our thoughts, our understanding, and our actions.

Main Points:
1. It is important to remember that a worldview is comprehensive. It affects every area of our lives, from money to morality, from politics to art. True Christianity is more than a set of ideas to use at church. Christianity as taught in the Bible is itself a worldview. The Bible never distinguishes between a “religious” and a “secular” life; the Christian life is the only life there is.

2. We will only develop a Biblical worldview, and we will only see things the way God sees them, if the Word of God is on our hearts and minds.

3. As we read the Bible, we must engage with scripture. We must ask questions. We must seek to understand. We must put the Word of God into the practice of our daily lives. The goal is not to get through the Bible. The goal is to get the Bible through you.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Colossians 2:8 - “See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.”

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#998: Sharing Your Faith with Boldness May 02, 2024

Show notes

Regardless of what our culture has come to believe, as a Christian, you have a mandate from Christ himself, to share the gospel with others. We cannot believe that evangelism is a calling for someone else. We cannot leave the responsibility to others. No, we are all called by Jesus to be His witnesses.

Main Points:
1. In my lifetime there has been a growing sentiment in our society that it’s wrong to talk about matters of faith. People have come to believe it’s improper to try to convert someone to become a follower of Jesus. Many now feel it’s insensitive, impolite, and even rude to witness to them about Christ.

2. There is no doubt in my mind this cultural shift away from freely sharing our faith is a strategy of Satan. If he can convince us it’s wrong to talk about Jesus, we won’t do it. As a result, less people will hear the good news.

3. Begin by telling people your story. Let them know what Jesus has done in your life and what He means to you. Remember, God has given you the Holy Spirit to empower you to be bold and courageous. You have everything you need to be an effective witness for Christ.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Acts 1:8 - “ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

1 Peter 3:15 - “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…”

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#997: We Want More of God May 01, 2024

Show notes

Many feel the yearning, but do not recognize that it is spiritual in nature. They feel a sense of emptiness and dissatisfaction with life. So many people are thinking, “There must be something more to life. What am I missing?”

Main Points:
1. People try to assuage their spiritual hunger with pleasure, relationships, travel, shopping, sports, substances like alcohol and drugs. Satisfaction is pursued with attempts to make more money, buy more things, and to have more fun. None of these things will ever be enough.

2. Only Jesus can satisfy our spiritual hunger. Why? Because God designed us in such a way. Only God can fill the void in our soul. A relationship with Jesus is so nourishing and so satisfying that we will wonder why we neglected Him for so long. We will wonder why we bought into the deception of this world it could offer what we needed.

3. Jesus is makes us a promise. The only one who always keeps His word is giving you a guarantee. He says “you will be filled.” You will be satisfied, you hunger will be met, your deep longings will be gratified in Christ.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Psalm 107:9 - “For He satisfies the longing soul, And fills the hungry soul with goodness.”

Matthew 5:6 - “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be filled.”

Psalm 34:8 - “Taste and see that the Lord is good.”

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#996: Encourage Others Apr 26, 2024

Show notes

Have you ever had an encourager in your life, someone that whenever you were around them, you found your spirit lifted? This is the kind of person I want to be. I want to be an encourager.

Main Points:
1. n the New Testament, there is a man named Barnabas. He was a leader in the early church and a partner with the Apostle Paul on some of his missionary journeys. His real name was Joseph, but he was given a nickname by the apostles. They called him Barnabas, which meant “son of encouragement.” He was affectionately given this nickname because he had the ministry of encouragement.

2. You never know the impact of your kindness, your love, and your words of encouragement. I believe people around you today are desperate for encouragement. Everyone around you is fighting a battle you know nothing about. What a difference you could make in someone’s life by encouraging them to trust the Lord, to keep believing, and to not give up.

3. What a difference you could make by encouraging someone to obey God, to step out in faith, and to let God use their lives.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Acts 4:36 - “Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”)

1 Thessalonians 5:11 - “encourage one another and build each other up.”

Hebrews 10:24-25 - “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”

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