Bible Lessons

Encouragement and Prayer: Go and Immerse Into Christ! (4/27/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Go and Immerse Into Christ! (4/27/23)

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This is the audio from the April 27, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  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.’”
Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will continue a focus on our responsibility after the resurrection.  We live a resurrected life as we join with Christ in the power of His resurrection.  The result should be a transformation that changes us in such a way that we are obedient in doing everything Christ commanded.  Part of that obedience is in taking the good news of Jesus to others everywhere we go.

“Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?”
Romans 6:3 (NIV)

As you pray, ask God to help you know and follow His commands in a way that shares them with others.  Pray that you would recognize, and help others recognize, the importance of dying with Christ in order to be raised with Christ.  Pray that you would understand and share the importance of God’s work which is accomplished in our obedience to being immersed.

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: Go and Make Disciples! (4/26/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Go and Make Disciples! (4/26/23)

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This is the audio from the April 26, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  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.’”
Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will continue a focus on our responsibility after the resurrection.  We live a resurrected life as we join with Christ in the power of His resurrection.  The result should be a transformation that changes us in such a way that we are obedient in doing everything Christ commanded.  Part of that obedience is in taking the good news of Jesus to others everywhere we go.

“In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.”
Luke 14:33 (NIV)

As you pray, ask God to help you know and follow His commands in a way that shares them with others.  Pray that everything about you is surrendered to Jesus and that you would not “cheapen” the cost of discipleship.  Pray that your life as a disciple of Jesus would be reflected in who you attract people to.  Pray that the people around you would learn what it means to be a disciple.

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: Go Everywhere! (4/25/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Go Everywhere! (4/25/23)

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This is the audio from the April 25, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  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.’”
Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will continue a focus on our responsibility after the resurrection.  We live a resurrected life as we join with Christ in the power of His resurrection.  The result should be a transformation that changes us in such a way that we are obedient in doing everything Christ commanded.  Part of that obedience is in taking the good news of Jesus to others everywhere we go.

“As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’”
Matthew 10:7 (NIV)

As you pray, ask God to help you know and follow His commands in a way that shares them with others.  Pray that God would help you to see the opportunities in your daily life to proclaim a living faith in Jesus.  Pray that you would know the nearness of God’s kingdom as you live a resurrected life.  Pray that the message of Jesus would be seen in you and heard from you everywhere you go.

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: Go With Authority! (4/24/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Go With Authority! (4/24/23)

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This is the audio from the April 24, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  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.’”
Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will continue a focus on our responsibility after the resurrection.  We live a resurrected life as we join with Christ in the power of His resurrection.  The result should be a transformation that changes us in such a way that we are obedient in doing everything Christ commanded.  Part of that obedience is in taking the good news of Jesus to others everywhere we go.  As you pray, ask God to help you know and follow His commands in a way that shares them with others.  Pray that you would consider how your obedience helps to spread the gospel to everyone you meet.  Pray that you would be involved in teaching others the very things you have learned through your relationship with Jesus.  Pray that God would empower you with the courage that comes from His presence with you always.

“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.’”
Matthew 28:18 (NIV)

Pray that God’s authority would be taken seriously by all believers — especially in regards to fulfilling His commands.  Pray that you would be obedient to the authority of Jesus in all things.  Pray for the confidence to share the good news of Jesus with the backing of His authority.

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

In prayer,
Tom

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

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This is the audio from the April 23, 2023 sermon, “A Time to Go”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Matthew 28:16-20

“Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.  When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.  Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  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.'” 
Matthew 28:16-20 (NIV)

Today I continued a series, or added a postscript to the previous series, as we looked at life after the resurrection.  When it comes to the events following the resurrection of Jesus, Matthew is much more concise than what we have looked at from Luke and John.  In fact, Matthew tells of the resurrection and the attempt by the religious leaders to hide the fact that Jesus resurrected from the dead, then finishes out his writing with what we refer to as the Great Commission being the sum total of his post resurrection account.  In it we find a very direct description of what the disciples did after the resurrection and what we ought to be doing.  When we live as those resurrected by the power of Jesus, we discover it is time to . . .

  • Glorify:  —  Matthew 28:16-17

    • After knowing the power of the resurrection, we should be filled with a growing desire to glorify God.  Our life as those resurrected from the dead is a testimony to God’s power and even in our moments of doubt, worship of God should be our lifestyle.  When we live as those who share Jesus everywhere we go, we not only worship God but we also help others see who He is..

  • Obey:  —  Matthew 28:18-20

    • The power of the resurrection at work in our life ought to result in a growing obedience to all that we learn from God’s Word.  For us to take the command of Jesus seriously to go and make disciples, we must be one who is a disciple.  God’s desire is that our time with Jesus in observation and learning will teach us not only how to live for Him, but also how to instruct others in the ways of obedience.  .

Today, when will you GO and where will you GO?

Encouragement and Prayer: A Time to Encourage! (4/21/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: A Time to Encourage! (4/21/23)

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This is the audio from the April 21, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“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)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on our responsibility after the resurrection.  We live a resurrected life as we join with Christ in the power of His resurrection.  The result should be a transformation that changes us in such a way that what we do is different whether when we are alone or together with  others.  The very heart of a time to gather is a time to serve one another.

“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Hebrews 10:25 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God help you to renew your commitment to serving Him as you serve others.  Pray that your life would be an encouragement to others as you meet together on a regular basis.  Pray that you would value the opportunities which exist for fellowship.  Pray that you would share the encouragement you receive from 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: A Time to Visit! (4/20/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: A Time to Visit! (4/20/23)

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This is the audio from the April 20, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“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)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on our responsibility after the resurrection.  We live a resurrected life as we join with Christ in the power of His resurrection.  The result should be a transformation that changes us in such a way that what we do is different whether when we are alone or together with  others.  The very heart of a time to gather is a time to serve one another.

“When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?  When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’”
Matthew 25:38-39 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God help you to renew your commitment to serving Him as you serve others.  Pray that you would notice the stranger, the needy, the sick, and the imprisoned and visit them as if you are visiting Christ.  Pray that you would value time spent with others who may be different than you.

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: A Time to Rebuke and Repent! (4/19/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: A Time to Rebuke and Repent! (4/19/23)

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This is the audio from the April 19, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“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)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on our responsibility after the resurrection.  We live a resurrected life as we join with Christ in the power of His resurrection.  The result should be a transformation that changes us in such a way that what we do is different whether when we are alone or together with  others.  The very heart of a time to gather is a time to serve one another.

“So watch yourselves.  ‘If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him.’”
Luke 17:3 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God help you to renew your commitment to serving Him as you serve others.  Pray for the wisdom and grace to rebuke others in love and to repent when you are rebuked.  Pray that you would be filled with humility when it is necessary to correct others.  Pray that the same humility would fill you when you need to repent.  Pray for a spirit of forgiveness.

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

In prayer,
Tom