Bible Lessons

Summer With the Son: Being Honest! (Sermon Audio)
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Summer With the Son: Being Honest! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the July 12, 2026 sermon, “Summer With the Son: Being Honest!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Matthew 5:33-37

 

“Go up and down the streets of Jerusalem, look around and consider, search through her squares.  If you can find but one person who deals honestly and seeks the truth, I will forgive this city.  Although they say, ‘As surely as the LORD lives,’ still they are swearing falsely.”
Jeremiah 5:1-2 (NIV)

Being Honest is important for many reasons, with one of those being that our honesty is a reflection of God’s character.  A true “Honest To God” life is one in which we are honest with . . .

  • Glory:  Matthew 5:33-35

    • Being honest with God will be visible when we choose to be honest with the glory we give Him.  Invoking God’s name in an attempt to give importance to our own desires and plans will lead us away from the honesty God desires from us.  Whatever good that is seen in us, heard from us, and/or practiced by us are things which flow from God and He is the One who deserves the glory for them.

  • Our Self:  Matthew 5:36

    • Being honest with God will not happen until we learn to be honest with our self.  Yes, we have ways to temporarily change the color of our hair, and many other things about our self, but God expects an honesty from us about our true inability to change how He created us.  It is in this honest with our self that we understand the need to rely fully on God as the source of all truth.

  • Decisions:  Matthew 5:37

    • Being honest with God will lead us to greater honesty with our decisions.  Giving answers that we think people, or even God, want to hear can be filled with fraud if we’re not honest in keeping to those decisions with the best of our ability.  Perhaps one of the difficulties in being honest with our decisions is that we give answers that we’ve not really prayed about or considered fully.  Our yes can be yes and our no can be no, only when we are honest about why we give the answer that we do.

 

Today, how will you be honest with GOD?

 

Here’s the text of the poem I shared to introduce this sermon:

Honest To God!

There’s something I’ve noticed
     that really seems strange.
When it comes to truth,
     we think there’s a range.
There are bold lies and white lies,
     and “honest to God”.
And all kinds of gray space
     that really seems odd.
Whatever happened
     to yes and to no?
And keeping our word
     wherever we go?

To keep to my word,
     and make sure it’s true.
Should be how I live,
     when I talk with you.
I must be careful
     to weigh every word.
So only the truth,
     is that which is heard.
To make up a story,
     so I don’t look bad.
Will only bring problems,
     the worst that I’ve had.

Image is everything,
     at least we’ve been told.
So we make up a story
     and hope that it’s sold.
Our yes isn’t yes,
     and our no isn’t no.
We consider our image
     and we answer so-so.
We hide the true facts,
     that we don’t want seen.
And tell a new version,
     where the truth is quite lean.

This doesn’t mean
     you should tell all you know.
Some things are private,
     from your mouth should not go.
But that is a story
     for another day.
About speaking the truth,
     this poem will stay.
When we cover up
     the truth with a lie.
Our reputation
     has begun to die.

We must be careful
     that we don’t deceive.
By the impression
     that we try to leave.
We should not have to
     swear this is true.
Our word should be good
     when given to you.
The things that we value
     will carry more weight.
When we are honest
     in all that we state.

So when you are thinking
    that truth can’t be found.
Open the Bible,
     take a good look around.
The truth that is Jesus,
     does show us the way.
And calls us to choose;
     in our speech, there’s no gray.
To be fully honest,
     in word and in deed.
Is a teaching of Jesus
     that we ought to heed.


© 2015  by Tom Lemler

Encouragement and Prayer: Pure Spiritual Milk! (7/11/26)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Pure Spiritual Milk! (7/11/26)

 

This is the audio from the July 11, 2026 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.” 
2 Corinthians 7:1 (NIV)

I believe most Christians, even most people, would agree that being pure is important — at least if the subject of purity is something that they value.  If I were to ask how pure a person thinks their drinking water should be, most people would say that being pure is an absolute necessity.  Yet many times we have learned to settle for less than pure in areas that God would want us to be pure in.  To know that something is pure requires a standard by which all else is measured.  When it comes to being pure, God has not only set the standard, He has given us a personal example in Jesus of what that standard looks like.  This week we will be praying about some things that God says should be pure in the lives of His children.  Pray that you would allow Him to continue to refine you as the impurities are removed from your life.  Pray that your desire to be pure would be lived in complete humility as you serve others.

“Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation.”
1 Peter 2:2 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you be pure in His sight.  Pray that you would accept no contamination in the spiritual milk of God’s Word as you spend time in it each day.  Pray that you would develop a craving for the purity of God’s Word as you grow in faith.  Pray that the purity of God’s Word in your life would lead to growth and maturity.

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: Pure Religion! (7/10/26)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Pure Religion! (7/10/26)

 

This is the audio from the July 10, 2026 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.” 
2 Corinthians 7:1 (NIV)

I believe most Christians, even most people, would agree that being pure is important — at least if the subject of purity is something that they value.  If I were to ask how pure a person thinks their drinking water should be, most people would say that being pure is an absolute necessity.  Yet many times we have learned to settle for less than pure in areas that God would want us to be pure in.  To know that something is pure requires a standard by which all else is measured.  When it comes to being pure, God has not only set the standard, He has given us a personal example in Jesus of what that standard looks like.  This week we will be praying about some things that God says should be pure in the lives of His children.  Pray that you would allow Him to continue to refine you as the impurities are removed from your life.  Pray that your desire to be pure would be lived in complete humility as you serve others.

“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”
James 3:17 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you be pure in His sight.  Ask God to fill you with a wisdom that comes from above and is far greater than human wisdom.  Pray that your life would show to those around you what pure wisdom looks like in practice, not just in words.

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: Pure Religion! (7/9/26)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Pure Religion! (7/9/26)

 

This is the audio from the July 9, 2026 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

~

“Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.” 
2 Corinthians 7:1 (NIV)

I believe most Christians, even most people, would agree that being pure is important — at least if the subject of purity is something that they value.  If I were to ask how pure a person thinks their drinking water should be, most people would say that being pure is an absolute necessity.  Yet many times we have learned to settle for less than pure in areas that God would want us to be pure in.  To know that something is pure requires a standard by which all else is measured.  When it comes to being pure, God has not only set the standard, He has given us a personal example in Jesus of what that standard looks like.  This week we will be praying about some things that God says should be pure in the lives of His children.  Pray that you would allow Him to continue to refine you as the impurities are removed from your life.  Pray that your desire to be pure would be lived in complete humility as you serve others.

“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”
James 1:27 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you be pure in His sight.  Pray that you would grow in an understanding of what God’s view of pure religion is.  Pray that you would seek to live out a pure religion as you care for people who have no one looking out for them.

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: Pure Joy! (7/8/26)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Pure Joy! (7/8/26)

 

This is the audio from the July 8, 2026 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

~

“Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.” 
2 Corinthians 7:1 (NIV)

I believe most Christians, even most people, would agree that being pure is important — at least if the subject of purity is something that they value.  If I were to ask how pure a person thinks their drinking water should be, most people would say that being pure is an absolute necessity.  Yet many times we have learned to settle for less than pure in areas that God would want us to be pure in.  To know that something is pure requires a standard by which all else is measured.  When it comes to being pure, God has not only set the standard, He has given us a personal example in Jesus of what that standard looks like.  This week we will be praying about some things that God says should be pure in the lives of His children.  Pray that you would allow Him to continue to refine you as the impurities are removed from your life.  Pray that your desire to be pure would be lived in complete humility as you serve others.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds.”
James 1:2 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you be pure in His sight.  Pray that you would know a joy that is made pure through the refining trials of life.  Pray for a pure joy that is strengthened by difficulties rather than destroyed by them.  Pray for the strength needed to consider, and pursue, the joy that awaits those who are faithful to the end.

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: Pure Heart! (7/7/26)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Pure Heart! (7/7/26)

 

This is the audio from the July 7, 2026 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

~

“Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.” 
2 Corinthians 7:1 (NIV)

I believe most Christians, even most people, would agree that being pure is important — at least if the subject of purity is something that they value.  If I were to ask how pure a person thinks their drinking water should be, most people would say that being pure is an absolute necessity.  Yet many times we have learned to settle for less than pure in areas that God would want us to be pure in.  To know that something is pure requires a standard by which all else is measured.  When it comes to being pure, God has not only set the standard, He has given us a personal example in Jesus of what that standard looks like.  This week we will be praying about some things that God says should be pure in the lives of His children.  Pray that you would allow Him to continue to refine you as the impurities are removed from your life.  Pray that your desire to be pure would be lived in complete humility as you serve others.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”
Matthew 5:8 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you be pure in His sight.  Ask God to purify your heart as you continue to seek Him with a whole heart..  Pray that you would be still before God as you seek His help in having a heart that is pure.  Pray that you would know the blessing of seeing God as you live with a heart that is pure.

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: Pure Offerings! (7/6/26)
by

Encouragement and Prayer: Pure Offerings! (7/6/26)

 

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

~

“Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.” 
2 Corinthians 7:1 (NIV)

I believe most Christians, even most people, would agree that being pure is important — at least if the subject of purity is something that they value.  If I were to ask how pure a person thinks their drinking water should be, most people would say that being pure is an absolute necessity.  Yet many times we have learned to settle for less than pure in areas that God would want us to be pure in.  To know that something is pure requires a standard by which all else is measured.  When it comes to being pure, God has not only set the standard, He has given us a personal example in Jesus of what that standard looks like.  This week we will be praying about some things that God says should be pure in the lives of His children.  Pray that you would allow Him to continue to refine you as the impurities are removed from your life.  Pray that your desire to be pure would be lived in complete humility as you serve others.

“My name will be great among the nations, from the rising to the setting of the sun. In every place incense and pure offerings will be brought to my name, because my name will be great among the nations,” says the LORD Almighty.”
Malachi 1:11 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you be pure in His sight.  Pray that the greatness of God’s name would cause you to examine the purity of your offerings to Him.  Pray that your offerings to God would be pure in every way.

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

Summer With the Son: Being Pure! (Sermon Audio)
by

Summer With the Son: Being Pure! (Sermon Audio)

~

This is the audio from the July 5, 2026 sermon, “Summer With the Son: Being Pure!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Matthew 5:27-32

 

“Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.” 
2 Corinthians 7:1 (NIV)

Being Pure is possible when we choose to be fully cleansed by God, not just on the surface, but wholly . . .

  • Prepared:  Matthew 5:27-28

    • Being pure involves being prepared to avoid and overcome temptation.  When we recognize sin begins long before the actual action of sin, we can be prepared by learning to take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ.

  • Urgent:  Matthew 5:29a, 30a

    • Being pure involves being urgent in our response to the sin which so easily entangles us.  We must choose to take temptation seriously as we understand the urgency to remove the things in our life which would lead us to condemnation.

  • Real:  Matthew 5:29b, 30b

    • Being pure involves being real as we move beyond the theoretical discussion of sin in general to the real sin that exists in our mind and in our life.  We must understand the source of sin comes from within and is fanned by the deception and accusation of the enemy, regardless of how good we may think we are.

  • Exclusive:  Matthew 5:31-32

    • Being pure involves being exclusive in our relationship with God.  The covenant of marriage is used by God as an illustration of the relationship He desires between Jesus and us as His bride.  Marriages end for a lot of reasons, and in the process what should have been an exclusive relationship between individuals is lost . . . sometimes the loss of exclusivity is the reason for the ending.  The good news for all of us is that regardless of how well, or how poorly, we do at marriage in this world, God daily calls us to a fresh opportunity to be pure as we choose to exclusively His.

 

Today, how will you be PURE?