God

Made New In BIRTH! (Sermon Audio)
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Made New In BIRTH! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the January 8, 2023 sermon, “Made New In BIRTH!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: John 3:1-21

Today continued a sermon series with a focus on being Made New In Christ.  In John chapter 3, we find the account of an interaction between Nicodemus and Jesus which results in some teaching that includes one of the most famous verses in the entire Bible.  Being made new in Christ includes a response to the call of Jesus that we must be born again.  When we follow Jesus fully, we find that we are made new in . . .

  • Belief.  John 3:1-3
    • Experiencing a new birth in Christ will result in a new belief that is more than just a verbal parroting of what seems to be expected.  While Nicodemus begins the conversation with a statement that would indicate some degree of belief, there is also the issue of approaching Jesus under the cover of darkness while very few of the encounters Jesus had with the Pharisees were positive.  The first response of Jesus to Nicodemus in this encounter was that something more was needed — the belief that Jesus had come from God needed to bear the fruit of a new belief that comes from a new birth.
  • Inclusion.  John 3:4-9
    • Experiencing a new birth in Christ will result in a new inclusion that gives a place of belonging to all who are born both of water and Spirit.  This isn’t a universal inclusion that says anything and everything is just as good as anything else, but rather an inclusion that says in Christ you belong.  All who are born of the water and the Spirit are included in God’s family because of the new birth the experience.  I don’t set the criteria and no human institution can set that criteria to either include or exclude someone, that is done solely by God.
  • Relationship.  John 3:10-15
    • Experiencing a new birth in Christ will result in a new relationship with God and with one another.  When we are born in the flesh, we are related to both those who gave us birth and to those they are already related to.  Being born by the Spirit brings us into relationship with God, with all those who are already in relationship with Him, and with all who will still come into the family.
  • Truth.  John 3:16-18
    • Experiencing a new birth in Christ will result in us having a new understanding of the truth of God’s love.  While John 3:16 tends to be quoted often to describe the incredible love of God and His desire that none would perish, in context the truth expressed in this passage requires an active belief in God to escape the condemnation that we have brought upon ourselves.  It is by living in the truth of God’s Word and His love that we not only experience eternal life, but we have the tools available to share the good news of this new birth with others.
  • Hope.  John 3:19-21
    • Experiencing a new birth in Christ will result in a new hope that endures all things.  It doesn’t take very long to realize the truth of the world living in darkness.  It is fascinating to me that Nicodemus comes to Jesus at night and then Jesus concludes this conversation with a statement that those who practice evil love darkness and those who live by truth will come into the light.  When you live with the light of Jesus in you, you have all that is needed to find hope in the midst of the darkness of this world.  While the darkness is plentiful, it is not powerful enough to overcome the true light of Jesus.

Today, how will you live as one who has been made new in BIRTH?

Encouragement and Prayer: All In For Such a Time as This! (1/6/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: All In For Such a Time as This! (1/6/23)

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This is the audio from the January 6, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.”
2 Chronicles 16:9 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be about living as those who are “all in” when it comes to our commitment to Christ and His church.  It is far too easy to sit on the sidelines and become very guarded about our actual involvement within the kingdom of God.  Perhaps there are even times when we tune out the Word of God because we don’t want to feel the conviction of His Spirit.  And how often does an awareness of our own weaknesses keep us from being as involved as we ought to be?

“And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?”
Esther 4:14 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you notice when you become distracted.  Pray that you would know God’s desire to accomplish His will and purpose in you.  Pray that you would always be mindful of how God might use you each day.  Pray for the courage to see and do the things that God has placed before 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: All In With Righteousness! (1/5/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: All In With Righteousness! (1/5/23)

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This is the audio from the January 5, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.”
2 Chronicles 16:9 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be about living as those who are “all in” when it comes to our commitment to Christ and His church.  It is far too easy to sit on the sidelines and become very guarded about our actual involvement within the kingdom of God.  Perhaps there are even times when we tune out the Word of God because we don’t want to feel the conviction of His Spirit.  And how often does an awareness of our own weaknesses keep us from being as involved as we ought to be?

“Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.”
Psalm 37:5-6 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you notice when you become distracted.  Pray that you would live with a commitment that results in God’s righteousness shining through you.  Pray that the righteousness found in Christ would lead you in paths of true justice.

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: All In With God’s Word! (1/4/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: All In With God’s Word! (1/4/23)

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This is the audio from the January 4, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.”
2 Chronicles 16:9 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be about living as those who are “all in” when it comes to our commitment to Christ and His church.  It is far too easy to sit on the sidelines and become very guarded about our actual involvement within the kingdom of God.  Perhaps there are even times when we tune out the Word of God because we don’t want to feel the conviction of His Spirit.  And how often does an awareness of our own weaknesses keep us from being as involved as we ought to be?

“Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.”
Acts 20:32 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you notice when you become distracted.  Pray that your commitment to God and His Word would be based on the grace that He freely offers.  Pray that you would grow in extending grace to others as you are built up by the grace of God’s Word.

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: All In With Obedience! (1/3/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: All In With Obedience! (1/3/23)

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This is the audio from the January 3, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.”
2 Chronicles 16:9 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be about living as those who are “all in” when it comes to our commitment to Christ and His church.  It is far too easy to sit on the sidelines and become very guarded about our actual involvement within the kingdom of God.  Perhaps there are even times when we tune out the Word of God because we don’t want to feel the conviction of His Spirit.  And how often does an awareness of our own weaknesses keep us from being as involved as we ought to be?

But your hearts must be fully committed to the LORD our God, to live by his decrees and obey his commands.”
1 Kings 8:61 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you notice when you become distracted. Pray that your commitment to God would be seen in the way you choose to obey His Word.  Pray for the courage to live with a heart fully committed to God.  Pray that the people around you would know you as one who obeys God in all things.

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: All In During Suffering! (1/2/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: All In During Suffering! (1/2/23)

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This is the audio from the January 2, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.”
2 Chronicles 16:9 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be about living as those who are “all in” when it comes to our commitment to Christ and His church.  It is far too easy to sit on the sidelines and become very guarded about our actual involvement within the kingdom of God.  Perhaps there are even times when we tune out the Word of God because we don’t want to feel the conviction of His Spirit.  And how often does an awareness of our own weaknesses keep us from being as involved as we ought to be?.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you notice when you become distracted.  Pray that your commitment to God and to the fellowship of believers would be made new each day.  Pray that you would live in such a way that others would know the value of crying out to God with a new commitment.  Pray about how God will strengthen you as you choose to live with a heart fully devoted to Him.

“So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.”
1 Peter 4:19 (NIV)

Pray that you would choose to turn to God when life turns difficult.  Pray that your commitment to a faithful God would lead you to continue doing good in the midst of suffering.  Pray that God’s faithfulness would sustain you when times are good and when times are not so good.

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

In prayer,
Tom

All In! (Sermon Audio)
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All In! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the January 1, 2023 sermon, “All In!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text:  2 Chronicles 16:9, Mark 8:34

Today began a sermon series with a focus on being Made New In Christ.  Before we dive into various things that are made new by Christ, we begin with a foundation of being all in when it comes to our relationship with Christ.  It can be far too easy and common to try to walk down the center of the fence in life in an attempt to keep one foot in the world and one in the kingdom.  God says that He searches the earth to find those who are fully committed to Him so that He can strengthen them.  When we choose to live all in, we do so with the help of God.  When I think of a snapshot of all in believers, I think of the events in Acts 2 when the church was born on the day of Pentecost.  When we choose to live a life that is all in, we become a church family that is . . .

  • All INvited.  Acts 2:21, Revelation 22:17
    • Throughout scripture, we find that God is constantly inviting all to come to Him.  We begin the process of living all in by accepting God’s invitation to find life through Christ.  We live all in when we do our part in extending God’s invitation to all.  .
  • All INstructed.  Acts 2:37-40, 1 Thessalonians 4:1
    • We grow in Christ when we are willing to accept all of the instruction contained in God’s Word.  Peter made it clear that the instructions of God were for all . . . all present that day and all who would come in future generations.  We live all in when we do our part in taking the instruction we have received and passing it along to all.
  • All INvolved.  Acts 2:41-44
    • God’s invitation and instruction are both designed to involve every person who would respond to Him favorably.  We see the foundation of the church being established as a place for everyone to be involved and to use the gifting God has placed in their life.  We live all in when we do our part in both our activity within the body of Christ and in involving all.

Today, how will you live as one who is All IN?

Encouragement and Prayer: The Truth of Presence! (12/30/22)
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Encouragement and Prayer: The Truth of Presence! (12/30/22)

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This is the audio from the December 30, 2022 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
John 1:14 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on knowing Jesus as the Word of Truth . . . the truth of who He is and the truth of what He brings.  In a world full of discussions, debates, and arguments, it can be very difficult to find truth in many situations.  God’s desire for us to know truth is so great that He sent His Son to be the Word of Truth that dwelt among us.

“He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.”
John 1:10 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you know and trust the truth of God’s Word.  Pray that you would always hold on to an awareness of God’s presence.  Pray for the ability to communicate clearly about the truth of God to those who live in darkness.  Pray that the presence of Jesus would always shine through even when the world is not sure what it is.

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

In prayer,
Tom