The 5 Minute Discipleship Podcast

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#865: What Happens When the Church Prays Together Aug 14, 2023

Show notes

When the church prays together, powerful things can happen. The power of a praying church cannot be underestimated. While our individual prayer and personal time with God is essential, it can never replace the significance of praying together as a congregation.

Main Points:
1. Today, we live in a society marked by isolation and digital interactions. Technological advancements have brought about a sense of detachment, making it easier for people to neglect the need for coming together as a church. However, the Bible stressed the importance of togetherness. Satan seeks to disrupt this unity, recognizing that a praying church is a powerful force that can bring about transformation.

2. Prayer is not a feeble activity; it is a mighty force. It aligns our will with God's will. It transforms situations and empowers us as believers to overcome challenges.

3. As we look around at the pressing needs of our society, let us recommit ourselves to the power of united prayer. Let us be a church that seeks God's face in unison, trusting that as we gather, His presence will be made manifest, His will accomplished, and His power demonstrated. The impact of a praying church is immeasurable, and the potential for transformation is limitless.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Acts 4:24 - “When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God.”
Acts 4:31 - ”After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly."
1 Peter 3:12 - "For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer.”
Isaiah 59:1 - “The Lord’s arm is not too weak to save you, nor is his ear too deaf to hear you call.”

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#864: If it is the Lord's Will... Aug 10, 2023

Show notes

As Christians, we put the future in God’s hands. We cannot predict the future. We don’t know what will happen tomorrow. Many will choose to worry about the future, but instead, we can choose to trust our Heavenly Father. We trust His will, His plan, and His purpose for our lives.

Main Points:
1. Tomorrow is on our minds. It’s likely you are thinking about the future as it relates to your family, your health, your finances, your retirement, your work, and your ministry. What does tomorrow hold? What will the future be like?

2. Planning our future gives us a sense of comfort and control. It’s not wrong for us to plan and prepare for tomorrow, but we cannot leave God out of our planning. Why? Because He is the only one who truly knows what tomorrow brings.

3. As we look to tomorrow and our future, let’s be quick to consult God and ask Him to show us His will. Ask Him to lead, guide, and direct your steps. Pray and ask the Lord to show you His will concerning every aspect of your life. Let’s return to the verbiage of believers in a previous generation and say, “if it is the Lord’s will."

Today’s Scripture Verses:

James 4:13-16 - “Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil.”

Proverbs 27:1 - “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.”

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#863: Is it Wrong to Share Your Faith with Others? Aug 09, 2023

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. Your message is good news. The truth that Jesus saves, forgives, heals, and delivers is good news. We live in a society filled with bad news, negativity, pessimism, gloom, and hopelessness. In the midst of all this darkness, people are desperate for some 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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#862: When You Are In A "Night Season" Aug 07, 2023

Show notes

Like David, we too face moments of pain, suffering, and sorrow that seem to linger like the darkness of the night. Yet, the promise lies in the certainty that these hardships are temporary, and brighter days will eventually dawn.

Main Points:
1. Everyone has “night seasons” in their lives. These are the times when all we can see are storm clouds on the horizon. The night season is when life seems dark and bleak and we don’t know what tomorrow holds. We don’t know when the dawn will break.

2. The ability to praise God in our night seasons is the result of true faith. It's easy to praise and celebrate God's goodness when life is smooth sailing, but the real test of faith comes in the midst of challenges.

3. The night season refines us and tests our faith, much like gold is purified in fire. It brings to reality those things we only knew by faith. It turns theory into fact. We experience God in ways we never had before. In the darkest moments, we discover the depth of God's presence and mercy. These are the times when our reliance on God grows.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Psalm 30:5 - “…weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.”
Revelation 21:3-4 - “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.

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#861: Living With a Biblical Worldview Aug 04, 2023

Show notes

As Christians, 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 influences our thoughts, our understanding, and our actions.

Main Points:
1. Your worldview is shaped by influences. This can include how you were raised by your parents, the culture you grew up in, your educational background, and the people in your life.

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.”

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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#860: You Are Called to Make Disciples Aug 03, 2023

Show notes

As Christians, we have been given a mission. Jesus gave us guiding instructions on how we are to live and what we are to do. But I wonder if we have come to believe the mission to make disciples is for others, and not for us.

Main Points:
1. Today it seems as if maybe we have forgotten our mission. Those who follow Christ, those who have been saved and forgiven have received a mission from their savior. We are told to “go and make disciples.” Have we forgotten this is our calling? Have we forgotten this is our individual responsibility?

2. Obedience to Christ’s command to make disciples is fulfilled not through church programs, but as individuals invest their lives into others. It’s people who reach people for Christ. We then spend time with them to help them grow and become disciples, who would then make other disciples.

3. Jesus said we are to “make disciples.” This means we must take the initiative to do something. We must speak up. We must invest our lives in building relationships with those who don’t know Jesus. We must give our time to share Christ and to help them grow into disciples.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

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. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Acts 1:8 - "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

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#859: Being Hungry for God Aug 02, 2023

Show notes

Physical hunger is not your only craving. You also possess a spiritual hunger. This appetite also cries out to be fed. Both types of hunger were created by God. Physical hunger can only be satisfied by food. Spiritual hunger can only be satisfied by God.

Main Points:
1. You have a longing in your soul for God. 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?”

2. In an attempt to satisfy their hunger, they go on a search. Attempts are made to gratify this spiritual emptiness with temporary, earthly things, only to be left with greater hunger.

3. So, let me give you the good news. Only Jesus can satisfy our spiritual hunger. Why? Because God designed us in such a way. Only God can fill the void in our souls. 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.

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.”

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#858: Do you Struggle to Believe? Aug 01, 2023

Show notes

Do you ever struggle to keep the faith? We’ve all been there, haven’t we? Those days, weeks, and months where it seems like we are hanging onto the rope of faith and we are at the last knot? Haven’t you been there? I know I have.

Main Points:
1. It’s in those moments that I have to go back to God’s Word. This is where my faith is strengthened. I have to be reminded often of who God is, what he has already done, and what he has promised to do.

2. We can identify with the father in this story. We want to believe, but sometimes faith is a struggle. When you have been through so much, when you are weary, and when it seems like options are few, it can be hard to believe.

3. f you are struggling to believe, cry out to Jesus… “I do believe, help me overcome my unbelief.” Once again trust our great God to meet you in your time of difficulty and to give you the faith you need.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Romans 10:17 - “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

Mark 9:22-27 - “But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.“ ‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He’s dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.”

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#857: God's Favor to the Humble Jul 31, 2023

Show notes

It’s always better to listen to the caution of the Holy Spirit and to guard our hearts against pride. If we do not live in humility before the Lord. God himself will humble us, and it will not be pleasant.

Main Points:
1. What is Humility? Humility is an accurate estimation of our self-importance in relation to God and others. Here’s another definition I like… “Having a right view of yourself because you have a right view of God.”

2. Humility is not thinking too highly of yourself. It’s also not thinking to low of yourself. It’s having an accurate estimation of our self-importance in relation to God and others.

3. So, how do we humble ourselves? We focus on the greatness of God. 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. It’s having a right view of yourself because you have a right view of God.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

James 4:10 - “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”

Luke 14:11 - “For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

“Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.” (Romans 12:3)

James 4:6 - God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”

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#856: You Cannot Outrun God Jul 28, 2023

Show notes

This is a story of Jonah is about obedience. It’s about someone who loves God, someone who has been used by God in great ways, and someone who wants to serve God with all of his heart. It’s a story about a man who hears from God. But the big point of this story is that it’s a man who doesn’t want to do what God is asking him to do. Instead, he runs away.

Main Points:
1. The Old Testament story challenges us because there is a little of Jonah in us too. We are sometimes conflicted. We can struggle with some of the things God says. We read His Word and He asks certain things of us and we don’t always like what we read.

2. Jonah is called by many the “reluctant prophet.” I think that’s an appropriate nickname. But we can’t be too harsh on Jonah because we too are often reluctant to obey God. Sometimes, we too would like to get on a ship and go the other way instead of obeying Him.

3. There are so many things God will say to us as we follow him. He is shaping us. He is molding us. He is making us more like Jesus. He is deepening and maturing our faith but it requires obedience. It requires us to be willing and to cooperate with his Word.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Jonah 1:1-3 - “The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.” But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the Lord.”

Psalm 139:7-8 - “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.”

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