The 5 Minute Discipleship Podcast

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#875: The Gospel for the Whole World Sep 08, 2023

Show notes

What are you doing to proclaim the gospel? Let’s speak up. Let’s become more vocal about who Jesus is and what He has done. Let’s be a part of fulfilling Jesus’ promise that the whole world will know the gospel message.

Main Points:
1. There are still locations in our world where the gospel message is not being preached. There are places where there are no churches, no missionaries, no translations of the Bible in local languages, and no access to the salvation message.

2. Yet, we stand on Jesus’ promise that the gospel will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations. As we see this being fulfilled, we know the end is near and Jesus’ return is soon.

3. The gospel of Jesus Christ is good news. We cannot be silent. We cannot keep such good news to ourselves. We must tell others. We must let people know that Jesus saves. Let’s determine that we will be a part of preaching the gospel locally and globally as a testimony to all.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Matthew 24:14 - “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”

1 Thessalonians 1:8 - “The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere.”

Matthew 28:19 - “Go and make disciples of all nations…”

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#874: Continue in What You Know is True Sep 06, 2023

Show notes

My prayer for you today is that you will let nothing move you. Remain steadfast. Stand firm in the truth. When others compromise their beliefs and when others crumble under the pressure to water down the truth, I pray you will remain strong for Christ.

Main Points:
1. “Will we stand and will we remain unmoved in our faith, our beliefs, and our biblical convictions?

2. Just continue. Continue to preach the gospel. Continue to stand for truth and righteousness. Continue to pray and seek for the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. Continue to believe in God to move in your generation. Just keep going in those things which you are convinced of.

3. Continue in the truth you know and hold dear. Remember, times change, but God’s Word remains the same.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

2 Timothy 3:14 - “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it…”

“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:58)

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#873: Bringing People to Jesus Sep 05, 2023

Show notes

Nothing we can do for people is more important than leading them to the Savior who can forgiven their sins. We must do whatever it takes to bring our family and friends to Jesus.

Main Points:
1. One thing that is constant in all of our stories is that someone brought us to Jesus. We were brought through a personal witness, a sermon, a gospel tract, or a video, but God used a person to bring us to Jesus.

2. There are people in your sphere of influence that you can bring to Jesus. There are people who like you, people who listen to you, people who respect you. Bring them to Jesus.

3. Which friends, family members, neighbors, or co-workers can you bring to Jesus?

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Mark 2:4 - “Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on.”

Mark 2:5 - “When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

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#872: Jesus' Prayer for our Unity Aug 30, 2023

Show notes

Jesus prayed for the unity of His disciples. He knew if they would work together in unity, a unity that comes from the love of Christ, that they would be effective in their mission. But if they allow division to come into their midst, if they begin to fracture their relationships, they would be ineffective.

Main Points:
1. As encouraging as it is to have a friend pray for you, there is someone else who has prayed for you, someone who has lifted you up before the Father. Did you know Jesus prayed for you? 2,000 years ago, you were on His mind. You were in His thoughts and prayers.

2. Only God could create something as unique, as diverse, yet beautiful and powerful as the church. We come from different races, backgrounds, and cultures. We have different talents, abilities, and spiritual gifts. God takes the various pieces and makes us a beautiful mosaic.

3. Though we are different in many ways, Jesus calls us together in unity of purpose and mission. We love one another and live in harmony with each other. In a broken and divided world, this unity will be so compelling and so contagious that the world around us will see that Jesus is the source of our unity.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

John 17:20-21 - “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”

1 Corinthians 1:10 - “I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.”

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#871: Grace: God's Undeserved Kindness Aug 28, 2023

Show notes

Grace is God's undeserved kindness. The doctrine of grace is that God treats us better than we deserve to be treated. Grace is "the love and mercy given to us by God because God desires us to have it, not because of anything we have done to earn it.” Grace comes from the Greek Word “charis” literally meaning “gift, kindness, generosity.”

Main Points:
1. God’s Word teaches us that we are all sinners. We are all in need of God’s grace. Jesus came, and by his death on the cross, paid the penalty for our sins. Salvation doesn’t happen automatically because God is good. Because God is good, there is now a path to salvation, but it must be received. We receive grace by placing our faith in Jesus Christ, and Jesus Christ alone.

2. Eternal life is not a reward for good people; it’s God’s gift to forgiven people. When Jesus died on the cross he was lifted up to carry the sins of the world. Your sin and mine. His death satisfied sin’s requirements. Whatever you think you owe God, Jesus paid it.

3. To receive God’s amazing grace, we must recognize we are lost. We must agree with God that we are sinners in need of His salvation. This is where we offer God our confession and repentance. Through faith, we believe in Jesus, and by grace we are saved. It’s only here that those who are lost are found. Those who are blind now can see. God’s grace is truly amazing.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

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

Romans 5:20 - “… But where sin increased, grace increased all the more”

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#870: Resisting Temptation Aug 24, 2023

Show notes

Can I encourage you today with a powerful truth? The same power of the Holy Spirit that enabled Jesus to resist temptation lives in you. Christ was tempted, so you will be tempted. Jesus overcame temptation and so can you.

Main Points:
1. Satan’s attacks are not random, nor are they generic. They are specific attacks against your soul. Satan goes after your most vulnerable spot. Your enemy knows exactly what buttons to push in your life.

2. No weapon formed against you has to prosper. No weapon of the enemy, no attack by Satan, and his demonic force has to win against you.

3. You are not powerless against temptation. As a Christian, the Holy Spirit resides within you. As you rely on Him, He will provide you a way of escape.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Isaiah 54:17 - “No weapon formed against you shall prosper.”

1 Corinthians 10:13 - “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”

James 4:7 - “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
Matthew 26:41 - “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

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#869: Enjoying God in the Silence Aug 23, 2023

Show notes

Perhaps the lack of silence is due to our inability to find stillness and solitude. Yet, in my experience, it’s in the silence that we can hear the voice of God. Sometimes we expect God to show up and speak up in loud and dramatic ways. He certainly can do that, but in my life, I’ve heard God speak mostly in the quiet times.

Main Points:
1. Isn’t life loud? It seems everywhere we go there is noise. Every store and restaurant has music playing. Throughout the day, we have the sound of people and traffic. Our phones constantly alert us of text messages, emails, and notifications. We don’t have much silence in our lives.

2. Have you heard the whisper of God? Are you enjoying God in the silence? If life has become loud and noisy, and if you are overwhelmed and distracted, you might not be hearing the voice of God.

3. In today’s culture there is always somewhere to go and something to do. I encourage you today to make time to get quiet with God and listen for His whisper. This whisper is a reminder of God's constant presence, calling us to listen and be attuned to His guidance.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

1 Kings 19:11-12 - “The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.”

Psalm 46:10 - “Be still, and know that I am God.”

Psalm 37:7 - “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him.”

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#868: When Your Heart is Anxious Aug 21, 2023

Show notes

Anxiety is a false prophet - It offers false solutions, makes false promises, and offers false predictions. Anxiety leaves us with an open-ended question…what if?

Main Points:
1. If you have battled anxiety. You are not alone. We all struggle from time to time, whether as a way of life or due to particular circumstances beyond our control. It brings about physical reactions like shaking, increased heart rate, shortness of breath, sweating, frustration, and anger. Even depression can be linked to a series of anxieties we experience in life.

2. Paul is saying that when you take your burdens, your concerns, and even your anxious thoughts to the Lord, he replaces your worries with something much greater: peace that passes all human understanding. And he says this peace of God will guard your heart and mind.

3. When your heart is anxious turn to Jesus who can calm any fear.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.” (Psalm 139:23)

2 Timothy 1:7 - “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
“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.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

Luke 12:22 - “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life…”

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#867: What is God Preparing you for? Aug 17, 2023

Show notes

God is at work in our lives, sometimes in unseen ways. He is preparing us for His plans. He is putting us in environments and allowing us to experience certain situations. God is allowing us to meet people. He is at work opening doors of opportunity and closing others. God is preparing us to do His will.

Main Points:
1. This is easy to forget, isn’t it? Even though we are Christians, we can sometimes live as if our lives and our future are entirely in our own hands. But at some point in your life, you probably prayed, “Jesus, I ask you to be the Lord of my life.” At some point, you prayed a prayer of surrender and asked God to lead and guide the direction of your life.

2. If we prayed this prayer, we should expect God to answer. I’m confident that today, God is at work in your life. God has plans we don’t know about yet. There are opportunities on the way we are ignorant about. There are people we are going to meet and things we will do that currently are only in the heart of God.

3. Recognize that right now, you are in a season of preparation. Allow God’s plan to unfold in your life. Perhaps God has you right where you are, for such a time as this.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Esther 4:14 - “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”

Proverbs 16:9 - “In their hearts, humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”

Psalm 37:23 - “The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.”

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#866: Ongoing Spiritual Growth Aug 16, 2023

Show notes

There is no place to stop, plateau, or think we have arrived in our spiritual lives. We are to never stop growing. There is always more we can learn, more we can experience, more steps of faith to take, and more character to be developed.

Main Points:
1. There are people who once served God. They were faithful to the Lord. They loved God, but today they have abandoned their faith. Somewhere along the way, life became difficult and they became discouraged. They walked away from their faith in God.

2. Let me encourage you today. As Christians, we cannot stop growing. He cannot stop engaging with the Lord and the church. We cannot become stagnant.

3. There can be no looking back. There can be no hesitation. We must determine in our hearts that we will follow Christ. We must pursue Christ-likeness. Through the Holy Spirit that lived within us, let's continue to develop the character of Jesus in our lives.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

2 Timothy 4:7 - “I have finished the race. I have kept the faith.”
Philippians 3:12 - “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.”

Philippians 3:13-14 - “…one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

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