The 5 Minute Discipleship Podcast

Latest Episodes:

654: Lead Me Not Into Temptation Jul 15, 2022

Show notes

Temptation is a battle because sin is more than just a choice – it is a power, an intimidating force in our lives. We live in this world surrounded by influences that pull at our soul, lure our affections, and seduce our wills.

Main Points:

1. This prayer recognizes our spiritual weakness. Our tendency to yield to temptation. This prayer is saying, “God I’m too weak on my own. I need your help when I face the trials of life. Protect me from temptations that I encounter because of my own sinful desires. Give me strength. Help me to respond in a way that honors you.
2. It’s a prayer that you can pray in the morning – “Father, I am about to walk out this door and face the world. All day I will face temptations to sin. My faith will be challenged. My attitude will be tested. Lord, help me to rely on your power. I acknowledge that my power in not enough. Lord, only through you can I be victorious.”
3. This simple prayer - “lead us not into temptation” gives us hope that we do not have to fight this battle alone. It is a prayer for spiritual protection.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Luke 11:4 - "Lead me not into temptation."
Psalm 37:23-24 – “If the Lord delights in a man’s way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumbles, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.”

Psalm 19:14 – “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD.”

Quick Links:

Connect on Social

#653: Overcoming the Fear of Man Jul 14, 2022

Show notes

There is a very common type of fear identified in the Bible that is not talked about much. It is the fear of man. It’s a fear of people and it can include intimidation, peer pressure, social anxiety, isolation, and insecurity. The fear of man can lead us to make choices that aren’t right for us or avoid making decisions at all.

Main Points:

1. When we are filled with the fear of man we are no longer focused on God, his presence, and his power in our lives. The fear of man leads us to a place of bondage and enslavement. We become slaves to our fears and unable to move forward.
2. The fear of man asks: What do people think of me? Will they accept me? What if I’m rejected? What if they don’t like what I’m doing? How can I face something like that?
3. The will of God for your life is peace and rest. God’s will is for you to live with confidence in your Heavenly Father’s love. When we fear others we live for their approval. As believers, we are to live for the approval of God.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Psalm 29:25 - “The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.”

Hebrews 13:6 - “So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”

Galatians 1:10 - “For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
Psalm 27:1 - “The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?”

Proverbs 14:27 - “The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death.

Quick Links:

Connect on Social

#652: We Need Each Other Jul 13, 2022

Show notes

At its heart, the Bible is a book about relationships – how we relate to God, and how we relate to each other.

Main Points:

1. You need to know this about God. He is concerned with your aloneness.
2. I believe God is calling the church to be a place of hope. A place of life. A place of love. A place of honesty and genuine friendships and relationships.
3. You can’t read the New Testament and see any version of Christianity being lived out in isolation. This is why being a part of a local church is so important. You cannot be obedient to Christ as a Christian and not be a part of a local church. How would it be possible to carry out the “one another’s?”

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Colossians 3:12-14 – “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

Quick Links:

Connect on Social

#651: The Power of Thirst Jul 12, 2022

Show notes

I discovered that Jesus could offer me something that nothing or no one else could offer. He could quench my spiritual thirst. He offered me a relationship. He offered me purpose for my life. As I began to sincerely follow him, my life was filled with contentment. I realized that Jesus could satisfy the thirst and the longing that I had inside.

Main Points:

1. You and I have experienced physical thirst. But we have another kind of thirst. It’s spiritual thirst, and yes everyone experiences it, sometimes without realizing it. Inside all of us there is a thirst that nothing in this world can satisfy. There is a thirst within us that only God can fill.
2. All of us have tried to satisfy our thirst. If a person is thirsty, they are going to search for water. It’s the same way with our spiritual thirst. We are all looking for a way to quench our thirst. We search for meaning and purpose through a person, through possessions, or by pursuing pleasure…only to find that our souls are still parched.
3. We experience this living water when we put our faith in Jesus as our Savior and Lord. It’s only then that we can experience the satisfaction of our thirst being quenched.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

John 6:35 - Jesus says, “He who believes in me will never thirst.”
John 7:37-38 - : “‘If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.’

Quick Links:

Connect on Social

#650: Is Anything Too Hard for the Lord? Jul 11, 2022

Show notes

The Bible is a book of miracles, from the beginning to the end. If you read through the Bible, you will be left with this amazing truth: God can do anything. There is no limit to his power. He is a miracle-working God. He specializes in doing what seems to be impossible to us.

Main Points:

1. What is a miracle? Webster's dictionary defines a miracle as an "extraordinary event manifesting divine intervention in human affairs.”
2. Throughout scripture we see miracles of provision, miracles of healing, miracles of protection, miracles of deliverance, miracles of opportunity, and miracles of guidance and direction.
3. For many Christians, our struggle is not faith in God’s ability to perform miracles, but faith in his willingness. The result is that we have no expectations. Let’s renew our faith in God’s miraculous power. No matter what you are facing today, remember, there is nothing too hard for the Lord.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Genesis 18:14 - “Is anything too hard for the Lord?”
Luke 1:37 - “For with God, nothing will be impossible.”
Hebrews 13:8 - “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

Quick Links:

Connect on Social

#649: The Unfinished Task of Evangelism Jul 09, 2022

Show notes

According to the Joshua Project, there are still 7,415 unreached people groups around the world. An unreached or least-reached people is a people group among which there is no indigenous community of believing Christians with adequate numbers and resources to evangelize this people group without outside assistance.

Main Points:

1. Why should we care? Why should this be a priority for the church? Because we are compelled by our Savior to reach them. We have been given this mission. This is what matters to God.
2. There must be within the body of Christ an urgency to take the gospel to the ends of the earth. The gospel must be urgent to us because it is urgent to God. Can I ask you, “Is the work of missions and evangelism urgent for you?”
3. What if every Christian took the Great Commission seriously? What if every Christian prayed for the lost, for our missionaries, and the unreached? What if every Christian gave financially each month to ensure that everyone around the world had access to the gospel message? What if every Christian took steps of faith to witness for Christ?

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Matthew 28:19-20 - “Therefore 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.”

2 Peter 3:9 - (God does not want) “anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

Quick Links:

Connect on Social

#648: What is the Gospel? Jul 07, 2022

Show notes

In my years of serving as a pastor, I’ve discovered that often people have an incomplete understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ. As we share the message of faith in Jesus, people are often ready to receive Jesus in their life. They certainly want forgiveness, they want God’s blessings, and they want the assurance of Heaven.

But is that all there is to it? Why did Jesus come? Why did he have to die on the cross? Why do we need salvation? What happens when we put our faith in Jesus? What does it mean to be a Christian? The answers to these questions are so important.

Main Points:

1. The word “gospel” simply means good news. The word “gospel” appears 93 times in the New Testament. It is the good news concerning Christ and the way of salvation.
2. The gospel is the message of forgiveness for sin through the atoning work of Jesus Christ. It is essentially God’s rescue plan of redemption for those who will trust in His divine Son in order to be reconciled to a just and holy God.
3. Have you received the gospel? Have you trusted Jesus Christ as your savior? You can do so today by placing your faith in Jesus, his death, and resurrection for your sins.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23).

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

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

Quick Links:

Connect on Social

#647: The Word of God is Eternal Jul 06, 2022

Show notes

From generation to generation, the Word of God endures. It is timeless in its relevance. It speaks to the hearts of men, women, teenagers, boys, and girls. Seasons come and go, but the Scripture is still powerful in its application to the human condition.

Main Points:

1. The Word of God we have is precious. God has spoken and we have it in print and in digital form. It cannot and will not be destroyed. The Word of God is eternal because God is eternal.
2. God was the primary author of the Bible; He was the One who inspired the writers to speak truths. He was the initiator. God was the source, the writers were the recipients.
3. We can approach the Word of God today with confidence in its accuracy, relevance, and its power to endure. It is the eternal Word of God.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Isaiah 40:8 - “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.”

Matthew 24:35 - “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”

1 Peter 1:25 - “but the word of the Lord endures forever.” And this is the word that was preached to you.”
Psalm 119:89 says, “Your word, Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.”
2 Peter 1:21 - “For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”
2 Timothy 3:16 - “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness…”

Quick Links:

Connect on Social

#646: Am I Passionate About Jesus? Jul 05, 2022

Show notes

I pray that we pursue Jesus with this same sense of desperation. May we recognize that nothing in this world will satisfy the deepest longings of our souls. A relationship with Jesus is nourishing to our soul, just like a cool drink of water to a thirsty body. A strong spiritual life is sustained by this relationship with Christ. Nothing else will do.

Main Points:

1. The word “passion” describes a strong emotion, intense interest and enthusiasm – desire, hunger, thirst, appetite, craving, urge.
2. You might be thinking… “Is it really possible to sustain a passion for God?” “Maybe it’s just something that comes and goes.” Maybe there are seasons in your life that you have more time for God.”
3. Here is a truth to believe: We are passionate about the things we decide to be passionate about. It’s a choice. It’s a decision. I know people who are passionate about food, clothes, sports, shopping, their careers, and their cars. Their passion is the result of a choice. You and I can choose to be passionate about Jesus.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Revelation 3:15-16 - “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.”

Psalm 42:1 - “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirst for God, for the living God.”
Revelation 2:2-5 – “I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first.”

Quick Links:

Connect on Social

#645: When Another Christian Hurts You Jul 04, 2022

Show notes

Offense is a growth opportunity. How will you respond when another Christian hurts you? Will you become offended and bitter? Will you ignore them and refuse to talk with them? Will you leave the church in an attempt to find a better one? Or, will you allow the experience to become a tool that helps you grow spiritually?

Main Points:

1. Every Christian is in process. We are not who we used to be, but we are not yet what we will be in Christ. We are learning and we are growing, but we are not yet perfect. Sometimes we make mistakes, we react, we get frustrated, and we say things we shouldn’t.
2. We can’t use our imperfections as an excuse. We have to own our behavior, ask God for forgiveness, ask others for their forgiveness and seek to reconcile. The mistakes then become an opportunity for our spiritual growth.
3. No one is immune to the challenges that come from relationships, even those among believers. We will all face them. Yet, there is so much growth that can occur in our character as we continue to love, pray, forgive, and sometimes confront.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Luke 6:28 - “bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”
Ephesians 4:32 - “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

Proverbs 19:11 - “A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.”

Quick Links:

Connect on Social

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

The 5 Minute Discipleship Podcast

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected