The 5 Minute Discipleship Podcast

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#724: Have we Forgotten our Mission? Nov 08, 2022

Show notes

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?

Main Points:

1. We have come to believe the church is something we attend, not something we are, but this is not how Christ framed his network of followers in the New Testament.
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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#723: There is Power in the Blood of Jesus Nov 07, 2022

Show notes

Jesus left the glory of Heaven to come to earth and take on humanity. He came with one purpose that was to satisfy the justice of God. Jesus would come and die for us. He would become our substitute. We wouldn’t have to die for our sins because Jesus would die for us. He would shed his own life blood on the cross as payment for our sins.

Main Points:

1. Sin must be atoned for by death. Why? Because sin violates the righteous laws of God. God cannot wink at sin. He cannot overlook it. Sin must be accounted for and justice must be served.
2. In the Old Testament, God set up a system of animal sacrifices to atone for sin. It was a temporary solution until Jesus, the Messiah, would come.
3. The New Testament book of Hebrews teaches us that through the coming of Jesus, God put away the old system of animal sacrifices. Why? Because the final perfect lamb of God has come that takes away the sins of the world.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Hebrews 9:22 - “…without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.”
John 1:29 - "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”
1 John 1:7 - “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.”

Ephesians 2:13 - “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”

Revelation 1:5 - “…To him who loves us, and washed us from our sins by his blood.”

Romans 10:13 - “Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

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#722: Above All Else, Guard Your Heart Nov 01, 2022

Show notes

The condition of your heart determines the direction of your life. This is the consistent teaching of the Scriptures – as our hearts go, so do our actions.

Main Points:

1. Satan uses all kinds of weapons to attack our hearts. For me, these attacks often come in the form of some circumstance that leads to disappointment, discouragement, or even disillusionment.
2. Solomon’s words are a warning. He says we are to “guard.” He implies you are living in a combat zone. You don’t have to guard something unless it is under attack. You don’t guard and protect something unless it is in danger.
3. In prayer, do a heart check. Is your heart healthy? Are you healthy spiritually? Spiritual vitality is found in a close relationship with Jesus Christ.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Proverbs 4:23 - “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
Proverbs 17:19 - “As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart.”
Luke 6:45 - “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”
Proverbs 4:20-22 – “My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body.”

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#721: The Spiritual Fruit of Gentleness Oct 31, 2022

Show notes

Gentleness is the demonstration of strength and self-control. Life and its stress and pressure can tempt us to react with frustration and anger. It’s easy to fly off the handle and say things we don’t mean. We can project a false sense of strength by being brash and outspoken. But true strength keeps our spirit under control.

Main Points:

1. It’s possible that you and I could think of the character trait of gentleness and equate it to weakness. We might consider gentleness to be the opposite of strength and power. Yet, as we serve God, sometimes our greatest strength reveals a heart of gentleness to those in need.
2. The world around us doesn’t usually applaud gentleness. It seems to recognize those who speak loudly and forcibly in public and on social media. But God honors gentleness.
3. Gentleness involves humility and gratitude toward God. It is polite, restrained behavior toward others.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Philippians 4:5 - “Let your gentleness be known to all. The Lord is at hand.”

Galatians 5:22-23 - “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”
Matthew 7:16 - “By their fruit, you will recognize them.”

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#720: Where do Temptations Come From? Oct 28, 2022

Show notes

We learn from James chapter one that we cannot blame God for our temptations. So, where do they come from? He answers that question. We are tempted by our own evil desires. We are tempted to sin because we have a sinful nature.

Main Points:

1. All of us face temptations. There has never been a person alive who didn’t face temptation. The Bible says, even Jesus was tempted but was without sin. This brings up a good question, where do our temptations come from? Is the devil tempting me, is God tempting me?
2. We cannot blame God for our temptations. God cannot be tempted, and he doesn't tempt anyone else. God is holy, and he doesn't want us to fail or fall. The truth of it is that temptation resides deep in who we are.
3. While we recognize that we have a sinful nature, we are not powerless in our temptations. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can resist temptation and live in a way that honors God.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

James 1:13-15 - "When tempted, no one should say, 'God is tempting me.' For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after sin has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”

Psalm 51:5 - “For I was born a sinner— yes, from the moment my mother conceived me.”

Romans 5:12 - “When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.”

1 Corinthians 10:13 - “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.”

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#719: Strength for the Weary Oct 27, 2022

Show notes

Unfortunately, one of the characteristics of humanity, even followers of Christ, is that our strength is exhaustible. We are not superhuman creatures. Our strength runs out and we face the common problem of weariness.

Main Points:

1. We’ve sometimes bought into a misunderstanding that in order for you and I to be strong we must have good conditions. However, it seems that most of our spiritual growth occurs when times are difficult. It’s in these hard times we learn God is faithful and dependable. It’s in these times we gain much-needed strength from the Lord.
2. What we decide to do in our times of weariness is critical. I’ve seen people who were tired, become discouraged, they failed to reach out for God’s strength, and eventually, they gave up on their faith – they quit. This is what the devil would like to have to happen to each of us.
3. While we must face the reality that all of us must deal with weariness, there is hope from the Scriptures of a deeper reality in which we can tap into the inexhaustible strength of God. It’s here that we discover a source of strength for those who trust in and wait upon the Lord.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Isaiah 40:31 - “…those who wait on the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Psalm 27:14 - “Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.”

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#718: Blessed are Those who Mourn Oct 26, 2022

Show notes

All through the Scripture, we see that our God is a God of comfort! The comfort of God is available to us when we are experiencing different kinds of loss and grief.

Main Points:

1. It’s okay to grieve. It’s okay to mourn. God created us with the ability to express these emotions. I’ve ministered to Christians who felt they weren’t supposed to mourn or that if they were grieving they were failing God. It’s okay to grieve. It’s okay to weep. God wants you to experience his comfort during your time of mourning.
2. I have found that God draws especially close to me in the tough times of life. When my heart is breaking, I find God’s presence near me.
3. If you are mourning, if you are grieving, lean into Jesus. Press into him through prayer and worship. Meditate on the Word of God. Reach out to a friend who can join you in your mourning. At this moment, I believe you’ll experience the blessing of God’s comfort.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Matthew 5:4 - “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”

Psalm 23:4 - “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

Psalm 119:50 - “My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.”

Psalm 34:18 - “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

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#717: Work Out Your Own Salvation Oct 25, 2022

Show notes

Work out your salvation. Put your salvation to work. Let it be evident in every area of your life. Allow your salvation to transform your thinking, your attitude, your words, and your behavior. Let Christ be exalted in every area.

Main Points:

1. The forgiveness of our sins does not come through our own works and good deeds. In other words, we could never earn our salvation.
2. Works do not save us, but they are the evidence of our salvation. We do not work to be saved. We work because we are saved.
3. Having received such a powerful and gracious salvation from our heavenly father, we want to serve Him. We want to live the life of a believer he has called us to. We want to use our time, talents, and treasure to advance the kingdom of God.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Acts 16:30 - “What must I do to be saved?”
Ephesians 2:8-9 - “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.”

Philippians 2:12-13 - “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.”

James 2:26 - “Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works.”

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#716: Never Stop Growing Oct 24, 2022

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. Like an adopted child learns the behaviors and expectations of their new family. We are to learn the values, behavior, and lifestyle of the family of God. Let’s commit, as did the Apostle Paul, to keep pressing forward in our goal of being like Jesus.
2. Even the great Apostle Paul realized that he needed to keep growing in his faith and his relationship with God.
3. By placing our faith in Jesus Christ and his death on the cross for us, we have been adopted by the Holy Spirit into the family of God. It is a gift we receive. We did not have to work to earn the right to become a part of God’s family. But now that we are sons and daughters, God asks us to live like children of God. The Word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit inform our new behavior and our new lifestyle.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

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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#715: The Root of All Evil Oct 21, 2022

Show notes

The love of money is a heart issue. It’s called greed. Greed is one of the enemies of our hearts. Very quietly it slips in and begins to guide and direct our decisions. The Bible calls greed sin because it can lead us to push God out of our lives. Greed is dangerous because it blinds us to what is truly important.

Main Points:

1. The problem with the love of money is that it is never satisfied. When will you have enough? It doesn’t matter how much we possess, we still want more. The love of money can motivate any evil on this earth. There is no sin that cannot be committed for the sake of money.
2. Jesus identifies the love of money as a heart issue. Here is an important biblical truth: Satisfaction can only be found in Christ. Contentment can only be gained through a relationship with Jesus. Apart from living for Jesus, our hearts wander in search of fulfillment, only to never find it.
3. We rid ourselves of greed and materialism when we treasure Jesus above all things. He is our ultimate treasure. When we have Jesus we have everything we need. This is how we guard our hearts against the root of all evil.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

1 Timothy 6:10 - “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”

Luke 12:34 - “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

1 Timothy 6:6 – “Godliness with contentment is great gain.”

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