The 5 Minute Discipleship Podcast

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#845: God's Undeserved Kindness Jul 12, 2023

Show notes

Many attempts have been made to define the grace of God. One definition, using an acronym says “Grace is God’s riches at Christ’s expense.” Perhaps the most common definition of grace is “unmerited favor.” Another says that grace is “God’s favor toward the unworthy.” All of these definitions are helpful as we consider this incredible attribute of God. I suppose my favorite definition is that grace is “God’s undeserved kindness.”

Main Points:
1. Think about it. God has been so kind to us. Consider all God has given you and all He has done in your life. Why? Why would God be so kind? What have you done to earn the kindness of our Almighty God? What have you done to deserve such affection and goodwill? Nothing. Not a thing. Nada.

2. You and I have received God’s kindness because of His grace. Prompted by the love we can’t fully understand, God demonstrates His kindness in our lives by giving us His Son, Jesus, to be our savior. It’s because of His grace we have been forgiven. It’s through His grace we have a relationship with Him.

3. Maybe today, you are in need of God’s grace. Perhaps you need forgiveness of sins. Reach out to God. Ask Him for His grace. He is generous to those who call on him.

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.”

Psalm 103:10 - “He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.”
Romans 5:20 - “… But where sin increased, grace increased all the more”

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#844: The Ministry of Encouragement Jul 11, 2023

Show notes

I believe every believer has a ministry. Don’t overlook the importance of being an encourager. It costs you nothing but your love, your kindness, and your time.

Main Points:
1. 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.

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:

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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#843: Does Jesus Make a Difference in Your Life? Jul 10, 2023

Show notes

If Jesus makes no difference in our lives, then why would anyone serve Him? If Christ-followers live just like those who are unsaved, why would anyone follow? We would all readily acknowledge that we are not perfect, only Jesus is perfect, but wouldn’t you agree that Jesus changes those who believe in Him?

Main Points:
1. I believe one of the questions people around us are silently asking is, “Does Jesus make a difference in your life?” Unbelievers are watching, often without us noticing, and they are wondering, “Is she different? Is he different, now that He is a follower of Jesus?”

2. When we place our faith in Jesus and confess Him as our Lord and Savior, His Spirit comes to reside within us. God’s work of sanctification begins. To “sanctify” means to set apart. God is at work in our lives to set us apart from the unbelieving world by helping us to be like Jesus in our character.

3. By the Holy Spirit, and with our cooperation, God will change us. He will change our attitude, our conversation, our choices, decisions, reactions, and our lifestyle. He will change our desire, our dreams, and our ambitions. Before our relationship with Christ, we lived only for ourselves, now we live for God and His glory.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Philippians 2:13 - “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.”

Romans 12:1-2 - “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 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.”

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

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#842: When God Interrupts Your Plans Jul 07, 2023

Show notes

God's interruptions remind us that our knowledge and perspective is very limited. We cannot see and know as much as God. So, we surrender to his plan, recognizing we serve a God who has all knowledge, and he knows what is best for us. So, if interruptions are God’s plan for us, we must embrace them.

Main Points:
1. So, what do we do when we are interrupted and we sense that God is at work in the interruption? First, let me encourage you to pause and take a breath. It’s so easy to become irritated and reactive when we face the frustration of an interruption.

2. Second, pray and ask God to help you be aware of what you need to see. Ask the Lord to open your eyes to his direction. Because of the interruption, there may be no clear path forward. In these instances, we have the opportunity to wait on God and seek his direction. Waiting on God is never wasted time.

3. Third, be alert to the possibility of discouragement. When our plans don’t work out, when the door is shut in front of us, and when we can’t move forward, it’s easy to be disappointed. Becoming discouraged is a choice. Don’t give it to it. Praise God anyway. Trust God is working in the interruption and that a testimony is coming soon.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Proverbs 19:21 - “Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.”

Proverbs 16:9 - “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”

Romans 8:28 - “And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

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#841: Soul-Winning for Beginners Jul 06, 2023

Show notes

The term “soul-winning” is a metaphor for witnessing about Jesus, or evangelism. The task of sharing the good news about Jesus is given to every Christian. We must see this as a responsibility given to us by our Lord.

Main Points:
1. The word “gospel” means “good news.” But it’s only good news if it is shared with someone. Imagine never hearing the good news that Jesus wants to save us and forgive us of our sins. It’s easy, especially in the Western World, to assume everyone has heard the gospel, but the truth is, they haven’t. There are people in our own communities who have never heard a clear presentation of the gospel.

2. You might be a beginner soul-winner, even though you have been a Christian for years. Here’s how to get started. Begin by praying God would place someone on your heart. Pray and ask God to open their heart to the gospel and that he would give you openings to share your faith. The process of soul-winning usually occurs over many conversations, so don’t feel pressured to do it all in one meeting.

3. Ask your friend, if you can share with them what God has done in your life. Tell your story. Be a witness of what your life was like before you met Jesus, tell of what led you to believe, and share what happened since becoming a Christian.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Acts 1:8 - “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Proverbs 11:30 - “…he who wins souls is wise.”

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#840: Joy the World Cannot Take Away Jul 05, 2023

Show notes

Here’s what I want you to remember today. Joy is God-given. Joy is a gift from God that is available to every believer, regardless of your circumstances.

Main Points:
1. Can I ask you a question? Do you have joy? Are you experiencing the joy of the Lord on a regular basis? Would those around you describe you as a joyful person? When we think of joy, it’s easy to make the mistake of thinking that joy is the same as happiness. We confuse the two terms because we think of them as the same emotion.

2. Joy in the Biblical context, is not an emotion. Joy is an attitude of the heart. It is not necessarily based on something positive happening. Joy is something that lasts; happiness is something that is temporary. When happiness fades away, joy remains. Joy is something God deposits into us through the Holy Spirit.

3. I remember as a child the church would sing a song that said, “This joy that I have, the world didn’t give it and the world can’t take it away.” Would you take this truth to heart? Would you really grab ahold of it, deep down in your soul? God’s plan for you, is that you would experience His joy, regardless of your circumstances.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

James 1:2 - “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.”

John 16:22 - “…I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.

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#839: Everything We Need Jul 04, 2023

Show notes

That sense of powerlessness is something we all experience. The truth is, apart from Christ, we are powerless. In and of ourselves, we cannot be who God wants us to be? Apart from Christ, we are weak, without strength, and unable to move forward.

Main Points:
1. Have you ever felt powerless? Like your batteries were on empty? Like you couldn’t go on? Did you feel as if you didn’t have the strength you needed or the ability to face a challenge? Maybe you felt you had reached your limit and that you simply couldn’t take the stress anymore. Perhaps you felt powerless to change, to stop, to grow, to adapt, or to become what God desires of your life.

2. Oh, how we need the Lord in our lives. Oh, how you and I need Jesus. It’s in Him we find our strength. It’s in Him we become strong. It’s only through His power that you and I can be an overcomer.

3. Every relationship we have exists because we intentionally invested in the other person. The same is true with Christ. Commit to daily investing time with Jesus. It’s through our knowledge of Him that we gain the power we need.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

2 Peter 1:3 - “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.”

Romans 8:11 - “The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.”

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#838: Trusting God's Promise Jul 03, 2023

Show notes

While we have struggled to keep our promises, God does not. God is always faithful, always consistent, and always steadfast. He does not forget, he does not change His mind, and he does not fail. He is a promise keeper.

Main Points:
1. What is a promise? A promise is a declaration or assurance that someone will do a particular thing or that a specific thing will happen.

2. Because of our humanity and our own sinfulness, all of us have, at times, failed to keep our promises. We’ve made promises to God, others, and even ourselves that we have not kept. Thankfully, we serve a God who is abundant in grace and mercy.

3. He has given us His word in print. We have his promises in black and white. As Jesus told Satan in Luke chapter four, “It is written.” We know He will keep His promises because because His character is proven. Today, you and I can trust God’s promise. If He has made a promise, we can be sure that He will keep it.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Numbers 23:19 - “God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?”

Joshua 21:45 - “Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.”
Luke 1:37 - “For no word from God will ever fail.”

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#837: The Loudest Voice in your Life Jun 30, 2023

Show notes

Of all the things we can listen to, we must listen to God’s voice and what He is saying. We can’t afford to miss out on the voice of God. I want to live in such a way that God’s voice is the loudest voice in my life.

Main Points:
1. With so many voices calling out for our attention, we may find ourselves easily distracted and without focus. After all, which voice will you give your attention. You can’t listen to them all.

2. Everyday, you can hear the voice of God. We don’t just serve a silent deity. We have a relationship with a living God who is involved in the lives of his children. I believe daily we can hear God’s voice in our spirit. Every time we open our Bibles we should expect to hear the voice of God. It is God’s Word to us. Are we listening? Are we paying attention?

3. Is God’s voice the loudest voice in your life? Let’s silence the noise around us to hear what God wants to say.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Mark 4:32 - “If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”
Hebrews 2:1 - “Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.”

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#836: Don't Lose the Wonder of Jesus Jun 29, 2023

Show notes

After all the disciples had seen Jesus do, they still lived with a sense of wonder and amazement. “Who is this man?” they asked. “Even the winds and waves obey him!”

Main Points:
1. I’m grateful for my relationship with Jesus, the Son of God, but after all I have seen and experienced, I don’t want to lose the wonder of Jesus. I don’t want to depart from my sense of amazement.

2. Don’t lose the wonder of Jesus. Never stop being amazed at who He is. Remember His power, His imminence, and His glory. There is nothing He cannot do. Just as He calmed the storm on the Sea of Galilee, with one word, He can calm the storm in your life.

3. Let's live everyday in wonder and amazement of our incredible savior.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Matthew 8:25-27 - “The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm. The disciples were amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked. “Even the winds and waves obey him!”
John 1:14 - “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”

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