Unwrapped Serving: Serve NOW! (Sermon Audio)
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Unwrapped Serving: Serve NOW! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the February 8, 2026 sermon, “Unwrapped Serving: Serve NOW!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Proverbs 3:27-28; Galatians 5:13-18

 

“Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.”
Mark 10:43-44 (NIV)

When we experience the gift of Jesus, it is imperative that we unwrap the various gifts He gives to us.  As we continue on a journey to unwrap the gifts which have been given, we learn to serve . . .

  • Noticeably:  Galatians 5:13-15

    • Like it or not, people notice how you treat others.  They notice how you treat your family, your coworkers, your neighbors, your friends, and even your enemies.  While there is instruction from God’s Word about giving and helping and serving in secret, we’re also told to let our light shine so that people will see our good deeds and glorify our Father who is in heaven.  The difference, I believe, is our heart and motivation.  Serving noticeably is not the same as serving to be noticed.  Paul makes it clear, just as Jesus did, that the way we treat one another within the body of Christ will get the attention of the lost.  Will you serve noticeably in a way that people see Jesus? 

  • Obediently:  Galatians 5:16-17

    • Serving now will also call us to serve obediently as we seek to honor Christ with our words and our actions.  I’m pretty sure you won’t always feel like serving even those you love, let alone those who are enemies.  We even struggle at times to want to serve God.  Serving now will require us to take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ so that we do what He commands rather than what we feel like or want to.  It is serving obediently that drives us to serve according to the needs of others rather than defining our service by what we want, are comfortable with, or desire.  This obedience is first of all an obedience to God as we seek His wisdom in understanding the real needs of others.  Will you serve obediently in a way which honors Jesus?

  • Worshipfully:  Galatians 5:18

    • Because Jesus set the example by humbling Himself and taking on the form of a man, even that of a bond-servant, we will find ourselves worshiping God when we serve Him by serving others.  Jesus declared that true worship is that which is done in Spirit and in truth.  When we acknowledge the presence of God’s Spirit within us, and learn to live in response to His leading, we find our life being true in its worship of God.  When we offer our self as a living sacrifice, it is a willingness to serve others according to their need, we please God and present to Him an offering which is our act of reasonable, or spiritual, worship.  Will you serve worshipfully in a way which exalts God?

Today, how will you serve NOW?

Encouragement and Prayer: Teach Sound Doctrine! (2/6/26)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Teach Sound Doctrine! (2/6/26)

This is the audio from the February 6, 2026 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!”
Hebrews 5:12 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on unwrapping the gift of teaching and on our responsibility to teach.  While some people have special roles of teaching, all of us are teachers of someone who is watching.  So the question isn’t if you teach, but rather what are you teaching?  God’s desire is that we learn and put into practice the truths of His Word so we would move beyond infancy and be able to teach accurately.  Pray that you would live with humility as you learn so that you would teach others the value of putting the things of God into practice.  Pray for those in specific roles of teaching — both those who teach in various school settings (public, private, homeschool, etc) as well as those who teach God’s Word within the church.  Pray that you would be a teacher of the things you learn from God.

“You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine.”
Titus 2:1 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you realize how, and who, He would have you teach.  Pray that you would pay careful attention to sound doctrine as you teach with both your words and your life.  Pray that you would continually seek God for His help in keeping your life and teaching in line with sound doctrine.

You can find the live video feeds of previous encouragement and prayer times on Impact Prayer Ministry’s Facebook page or subscribe to the audio from the Tom’s Treasure podcast channel.

In prayer,
Tom

Encouragement and Prayer: Teach With the Usefulness of Scripture! (2/5/26)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Teach With the Usefulness of Scripture! (2/5/26)

This is the audio from the February 5, 2026 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!”
Hebrews 5:12 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on unwrapping the gift of teaching and on our responsibility to teach.  While some people have special roles of teaching, all of us are teachers of someone who is watching.  So the question isn’t if you teach, but rather what are you teaching?  God’s desire is that we learn and put into practice the truths of His Word so we would move beyond infancy and be able to teach accurately.  Pray that you would live with humility as you learn so that you would teach others the value of putting the things of God into practice.  Pray for those in specific roles of teaching — both those who teach in various school settings (public, private, homeschool, etc) as well as those who teach God’s Word within the church.  Pray that you would be a teacher of the things you learn from God.

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.”
2 Timothy 3:16 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you realize how, and who, He would have you teach.  Pray that you would know the necessity of Scripture in teaching that will bring about positive change.  Pray that you would use scripture accurately in teaching that leads to a righteousness in your life and in those who learn from you.

You can find the live video feeds of previous encouragement and prayer times on Impact Prayer Ministry’s Facebook page or subscribe to the audio from the Tom’s Treasure podcast channel.

In prayer,
Tom

Encouragement and Prayer: Teach With Godly Wisdom! (2/4/26)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Teach With Godly Wisdom! (2/4/26)

This is the audio from the February 4, 2026 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!”
Hebrews 5:12 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on unwrapping the gift of teaching and on our responsibility to teach.  While some people have special roles of teaching, all of us are teachers of someone who is watching.  So the question isn’t if you teach, but rather what are you teaching?  God’s desire is that we learn and put into practice the truths of His Word so we would move beyond infancy and be able to teach accurately.  Pray that you would live with humility as you learn so that you would teach others the value of putting the things of God into practice.  Pray for those in specific roles of teaching — both those who teach in various school settings (public, private, homeschool, etc) as well as those who teach God’s Word within the church.  Pray that you would be a teacher of the things you learn from God.

“We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.”
Colossians 1:28 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you realize how, and who, He would have you teach.  Pray that you would always look to God for the wisdom necessary to teach perfection in Christ.  Pray that your teaching would not only be lived by you, but would lead others to become more like Christ.

You can find the live video feeds of previous encouragement and prayer times on Impact Prayer Ministry’s Facebook page or subscribe to the audio from the Tom’s Treasure podcast channel.

In prayer,
Tom

Encouragement and Prayer: Teach Without Stopping! (2/3/26)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Teach Without Stopping! (2/3/26)

This is the audio from the February 3, 2026 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!”
Hebrews 5:12 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on unwrapping the gift of teaching and on our responsibility to teach.  While some people have special roles of teaching, all of us are teachers of someone who is watching.  So the question isn’t if you teach, but rather what are you teaching?  God’s desire is that we learn and put into practice the truths of His Word so we would move beyond infancy and be able to teach accurately.  Pray that you would live with humility as you learn so that you would teach others the value of putting the things of God into practice.  Pray for those in specific roles of teaching — both those who teach in various school settings (public, private, homeschool, etc) as well as those who teach God’s Word within the church.  Pray that you would be a teacher of the things you learn from God.

“Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.”
Acts 5:42 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you realize how, and who, He would have you teach.  Pray that you would always be aware of the teaching opportunities God gives you each day.  Pray that you would never give up teaching about the good news of Jesus.

You can find the live video feeds of previous encouragement and prayer times on Impact Prayer Ministry’s Facebook page or subscribe to the audio from the Tom’s Treasure podcast channel.

In prayer,
Tom

Encouragement and Prayer: Teach As a Disciple-Maker! (2/2/26)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Teach As a Disciple-Maker! (2/2/26)

This is the audio from the February 2, 2026 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!”
Hebrews 5:12 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on unwrapping the gift of teaching and on our responsibility to teach.  While some people have special roles of teaching, all of us are teachers of someone who is watching.  So the question isn’t if you teach, but rather what are you teaching?  God’s desire is that we learn and put into practice the truths of His Word so we would move beyond infancy and be able to teach accurately.  Pray that you would live with humility as you learn so that you would teach others the value of putting the things of God into practice.  Pray for those in specific roles of teaching — both those who teach in various school settings (public, private, homeschool, etc) as well as those who teach God’s Word within the church.  Pray that you would be a teacher of the things you learn from God.

“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.”
Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you realize how, and who, He would have you teach.  Pray that you would know the things commanded by God well enough that you are able to teach them.  Pray that you would be involved not only in introducing people to Christ, but also in teaching them the things of Christ.

You can find the live video feeds of previous encouragement and prayer times on Impact Prayer Ministry’s Facebook page or subscribe to the audio from the Tom’s Treasure podcast channel.

In prayer,
Tom

Unwrapped Teaching: TEACH! (Sermon Audio)
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Unwrapped Teaching: TEACH! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the February 1, 2026 sermon, “Unwrapped Teaching – TEACH!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Romans 15:1-14

 

“In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!”
Hebrews 5:12 (NIV)

As we continue on a journey to unwrap the gifts which have been given by God, we unwrap the gift of teaching to find God’s desire that we all . . .

  • Trust:  Romans 15:1-3

    • As we unwrap teaching, we find trust is a foundational element in being able to effectively teach.  We gain that trust as we follow God’s instruction in considering their needs to be more important than our own.  It is our trust in God that creates within us the ability to be trusted by those we are called upon to teach. 

  • Encourage:  Romans 15:4-6

    • As we unwrap teaching, we find a calling to encourage others with the things we have learned from God’s Word.  Encouragement is a powerful tool in opening the mind to a willingness to learn.  As we learn to encourage others with the same encouragement we ourselves have received from God, we find they will often be more open to what we teach.

  • Accept:  Romans 15:7

    • As we unwrap teaching, we must consider how it is God has accepted us so that we would accept others in a like manner.  God’s acceptance of us does not mean that He is okay with the sin in our life, but rather that He values and loves us enough to convict us of sin and provide a way out of it.  When we learn to teach in a godly manner, we learn to accept all people as having great value and being loved by God so much that He can transform them just as He transforms us.

  • Confirm:  Romans 15:8-12

    • As we unwrap teaching, we confirm the value of God’s Word from beginning to end.  All history of God’s interaction with mankind confirms His love and plan to redeem all who would come to Him.  As we teach all peoples to obey everything commanded by Jesus, we confirm His authority over us and over all mankind.

  • Hope:  Romans 15:13-14

    • As we unwrap teaching, we proclaim a message of hope.  This is a hope which is filled with truth and the goodness of God.  A hope so powerful that it equips each of us to teach one another because of God’s working in us.  We proclaim hope, not as a wishful thinking kind of delusion, but as a certainty of God’s work in the lives of mankind in keeping with His promises.

Today, how will you TEACH?

Encouragement and Prayer: Fellowship Of Suffering! (1/30/26)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Fellowship Of Suffering! (1/30/26)

This is the audio from the January 30, 2026 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.”
1 John 1:3 (NIV)

Our prayer emphasis this week will focus on growing in fellowship through the gift of mercy.  While most Christians are aware of God’s desire that we have fellowship with Him and with one another, we often leave growing in that fellowship to chance with little training or practice in the things that would draw us together.  Pray that you would desire a greater fellowship with God as the foundation of all of your other relationships.  Pray that you would grow in both the desire and practice of living in fellowship with those who share your faith in God.  Pray that the fellowship you experience with other believers would attract others to pursuing God and having fellowship with Him.  Pray that your fellowship with Christ, and with one another, would prepare you for an eternal fellowship.  Pray for a spirit of unity among brothers and sisters in Christ as we grow in our love for one another.

“I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.”
Philippians 3:10-11 (NIV)

As you pray this week, talk with God about how your fellowship with Him can grow.  Pray that you would know the value of joining in the fellowship of Christ’s suffering.  Pray that a fellowship in the suffering of Christ would keep you aware of the sufferings of others.

You can find the live video feeds of previous encouragement and prayer times on Impact Prayer Ministry’s Facebook page or subscribe to the audio from the Tom’s Treasure podcast channel.

In prayer,
Tom