Author: Tom

A Time to Gather! (Sermon Audio)
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A Time to Gather! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the April 16, 2023 sermon, “A Time to Gather: A Place to HEAL”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: John 21

“But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today,’ so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. ”
Hebrews 3:13 (NIV)

Today I began a new series, or added a postscript to the previous series, as we looked at life after the resurrection.  Even though Jesus had spent His ministry years preparing the disciples to take the gospel into the world, He knew that they would not quite be ready after the resurrection.  In fact, He had told them prior to the cross that He would die, be buried, and rise again and that they should wait for Him.  I believe this gathering after the resurrection was necessary for a variety of reasons, with one of those primary reasons being that they had all deserted Jesus in His time of trial and each of them would be experiencing some level of brokenness and guilt.  They needed the restoration and healing that only Jesus could bring and they needed to know it was for all of them.  As we gather each week as those resurrected by the power of Jesus Christ, we do so as those who have our own brokenness and guilt so we come together in a place to . . .

  • Hear:  —  John 21:1-9

    • Our time to gather is a place to hear the good news of Jesus and experience the power of listening to God and to one another.  Even as Jesus called out to the disciples and gave them instructions on where to find fish, they did not immediately realize it was Him.  They needed a place to truly hear so they would recognize Jesus in their midst.  When we gather with others, we need to be mindful that the distractions of this life are numerous and present in the most unexpected places.  Our brokenness has a way of dulling our hearing so that we begin to believe the lies of our enemy.  When we deliberately listen to God and to one another, we find a place to gather where each one of us can find the healing we need.

  • Eat:  —  John 21:10-14

    • I suspect that talking about our time to gather being a place to eat might seem a bit strange at first.  Yet it shouldn’t take long to realize the hunger that is created by our brokenness.  When we gather as those resurrected by the power of Jesus Christ, we find fulfillment as we feast on God’s Word and as we share in the elements of communion.  Even though the text says that Jesus had a fire going with fish being prepared, He asked the disciples to bring some of the fish they had caught to Him.  While Jesus has all that we need, He also calls for us to contribute as we each bring value to the gathering through what He has provided in our life.  But it’s not just spiritual food that we share, we grow together when we join in sharing fellowship around meals that sustain us physically as well that which strengthens the connectedness of the body.

  • Adjust — John 21:15-19

    • We don’t like to admit it, but we’re not always right.  In fact, the only one who is always right is God.  Sometimes it is the recognition of how we have failed ourselves, others, and/or God that causes a brokenness . . . at least in our mind.  The disciples, and perhaps especially Peter, needed a place to adjust before they would be open vessels suitable for God’s work of changing the world.  God’s desire is that we would live in fellowship with one another in such a way that we remind others, and are reminded our self, of the great task which is ours through Jesus Christ.  Loving God and living a resurrected life isn’t as much about being right as it is about taking care of people.  When we allow God to administer an attitude adjustment in our life, we find a place to gather where we willingly adjust our attitudes and actions to serve others according to their need.

  • Love — John 21:20-25

    • I don’t know too many people that like to be singled out in ways that make their brokenness apparent or their task seem unfair in comparison to others . . . in fact, I don’t know anyone that likes that!  Peter’s response to Jesus revealing the hardships he would face was the age-old deflection of “What about him?”.  It is in this context that John reveals himself to be the one he refers to as “the disciple whom Jesus loves”.  God’s Word tells us that “love covers a multitude of sin”.  When we gather as those resurrected by the power of Jesus Christ, we should find ourselves in a place of love . . . not that we’re so good at it, but because we have experienced being the disciple that Jesus loves.

Today, how will you make the times you gather with others be a place to HEAL?

Encouragement and Prayer: Resurrection Hope! (4/14/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Resurrection Hope! (4/14/23)

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This is the audio from the April 14, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“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)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on knowing and living by the power of the resurrection.  As we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, the magnificence of the event and what it accomplished can often overshadow how it was accomplished.  Paul understood that it was in the fellowship with the sufferings of Christ that he would know more of the power of the resurrection.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”
1 Peter 1:3 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you know the power of the resurrection in a way that gives you the courage to grow through the fellowship of suffering.  Pray that you would live with great hope through the power of the resurrection.  Pray that your praise of God would never lose sight of the victory of the resurrection.  Pray about how you can share the hope of Jesus with those who need the new birth that is found in Christ.

You can find the live video feeds of these encouragement and prayer times on Impact Prayer Ministry’s Facebook page.

In prayer,
Tom

Encouragement and Prayer: Resurrection Teaching! (4/13/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Resurrection Teaching! (4/13/23)

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This is the audio from the April 13, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“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)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on knowing and living by the power of the resurrection.  As we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, the magnificence of the event and what it accomplished can often overshadow how it was accomplished.  Paul understood that it was in the fellowship with the sufferings of Christ that he would know more of the power of the resurrection.

“Instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.”
Hebrews 6:2 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you know the power of the resurrection in a way that gives you the courage to grow through the fellowship of suffering.  Pray that the truth of the resurrection would be a part of the foundational teaching you believe about God.  Pray that you would use the foundational teachings, including that of the resurrection, to build your life upon in order to be a household of faith.  Pray that the resurrection would be part of the foundation you teach others about Jesus.

You can find the live video feeds of these encouragement and prayer times on Impact Prayer Ministry’s Facebook page.

In prayer,
Tom

Encouragement and Prayer: Resurrection Certainty! (4/12/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Resurrection Certainty! (4/12/23)

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This is the audio from the April 12, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“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)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on knowing and living by the power of the resurrection.  As we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, the magnificence of the event and what it accomplished can often overshadow how it was accomplished.  Paul understood that it was in the fellowship with the sufferings of Christ that he would know more of the power of the resurrection.

“If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection.”
Romans 6:5 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you know the power of the resurrection in a way that gives you the courage to grow through the fellowship of suffering.  Pray that your confidence in the power of the resurrection would never waiver.  Pray that your obedience to being united with Christ in His death would give you a certainty in being united with Him in His resurrection.  Pray that your certainty of the resurrection would encourage others.

You can find the live video feeds of these encouragement and prayer times on Impact Prayer Ministry’s Facebook page.

In prayer,
Tom

Encouragement and Prayer: Resurrection Testimony! (4/11/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Resurrection Testimony! (4/11/23)

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This is the audio from the April 11, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“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)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on knowing and living by the power of the resurrection.  As we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, the magnificence of the event and what it accomplished can often overshadow how it was accomplished.  Paul understood that it was in the fellowship with the sufferings of Christ that he would know more of the power of the resurrection.

“With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all.”
Acts 4:33 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you know the power of the resurrection in a way that gives you the courage to grow through the fellowship of suffering.  Pray for the courage to testify of the resurrection of Jesus.  Pray that you would live life in such a way that you are a testimony of the transformational power of the resurrection.  Pray that your testimony of the resurrection would result in much grace.

You can find the live video feeds of these encouragement and prayer times on Impact Prayer Ministry’s Facebook page.

In prayer,
Tom

Encouragement and Prayer: Resurrection Source! (4/10/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Resurrection Source! (4/10/23)

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This is the audio from the April 10, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“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)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on knowing and living by the power of the resurrection.  As we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, the magnificence of the event and what it accomplished can often overshadow how it was accomplished.  Paul understood that it was in the fellowship with the sufferings of Christ that he would know more of the power of the resurrection.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you know the power of the resurrection in a way that gives you the courage to grow through the fellowship of suffering.  Pray that we would pay attention and learn the lessons that He continually teaches through the sufferings of life.  Pray for a view of life that can see beyond the grave and into an eternity in God’s presence.  Pray for a growing love for one another that will find ways to help them accept and live by the power of the resurrection.  Pray that the resurrection power in your life would produce a contentment of such magnitude that it could only come from God.

“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies.’”
John 11:25 (NIV)

Pray that you would know Jesus as the only source of eternal life.  Pray that your belief in Jesus would give you the confidence of knowing your life will not end at the grave.  Pray that the resurrection of Jesus would be the source of comfort you offer to those who suffer.

You can find the live video feeds of these encouragement and prayer times on Impact Prayer Ministry’s Facebook page.

In prayer,
Tom

A Road of Victory! (Sermon Audio)
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A Road of Victory! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the April 9, 2023 sermon, “A Road of Victory: A Time to WIN”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Luke 24:1-49

“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)

Today I concluded a sermon series with a focus on The Road to Resurrection.  Each week of this series considered a different glimpse of the life of Jesus during His final week leading up to His death, burial, and resurrection.  The road to resurrection teaches us many things about God’s love for us and the love we ought to have for others.  While the road for Jesus was not an easy one, nor is it easy for us, the destination is a place of victory.  When we walk with Jesus and live a resurrected life, we discover a time to . . .

  • Worship:  —  Luke 24:1-8

    • The road of victory is a time to worship.  The women approached the tomb of Jesus early in the morning for the purpose of finishing the burial procedures and honor the One they had loved.  Their plan of worship was focused on the memories of what had been rather than on the reality of what was.  When we come face to face with the truth of the resurrection of Jesus, and of our own resurrected life by the power of Jesus, we learn to worship more than just the stories of Jesus, but the real presence of God with us.

  • Invite:  —  Luke 24:9-12

    • The road to victory is a time to invite all to come taste of the goodness of God.  Even with the confusion of an empty tomb and a lack of understanding, there was a consistent desire to invite others to come and see whatever it was they had discovered.  Those who have put their faith in God today, do so because someone invited them to “taste and see that the Lord is good”.  When we experience the victory of the resurrection, it is our responsibility and privilege to invite others to know a true victory that is found in Christ.

  • Nurture — Luke 24:25-27, 45-49

    • The road to victory is a time to be nurtured and to nurture others.  As Jesus begins to make Himself known to His followers, He addresses their doubts and sets about to restore their shaky faith.  When we are involved in making Jesus known to others, we not only plant the seeds through invitations but we also care for others in ways that help them to grow.  Jesus knew just how to use the right combination of correction and encouragement to prepare His followers for their role in turning the world upside down as they took the good news of Jesus everywhere they went.  When we experience the victory of the resurrection, it is our task to take the comfort we receive from Christ and use it to nurture the faith of others.

Today, how will you live a resurrected life that helps others know a time to WIN?

A Road of Death! (Good Friday Sermon Audio)
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A Road of Death! (Good Friday Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the April 7, 2023 Good Friday sermon, “A Road of Death; A Time to DIE”, shared by Tom Lemler at the West Side Church of Christ.

Text: Luke 23:26-49

“I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.”
John 12:24 (NIV)

As I had opportunity to preach at a Good Friday service, tonight I continued a sermon series with a focus on The Road to Resurrection.  Each week of this series has considered a different glimpse of the life of Jesus during His final week leading up to His death, burial, and resurrection. As Jesus continued with a steadfast commitment to this road of resurrection, He approached the cross with an attitude that displayed an awareness that a road of death was a necessary part of reaching the road of life. As we gaze upon the cross, we find Jesus calling each one of us to take up our cross in this time to . . .

  • Decide:  —  Luke 23:26-35

    • As we face the cross we are faced with a decision.  Do we turn away and serve self or do we decide to take up the cross and die to self?  .

  • Invest:  —  Luke 23:36-43

    • As we face the cross we find a God who chose to invest in us.  Our response to the cross ought to be a willingness to invest in people in a kingdom way.

  • Exclaim — Luke 23:44-49

    • As we face the cross we find the exclamation of Jesus that He had finished His life and was committing His spirit to God.  Our response ought to be a life that leads others to see Jesus in a way that they echo the centurion in declaring the righteousness of God.

Today, what will you do with the invitation of Jesus to take up your cross and DIE?