God

Good News: The GIFT of Repentance! (Sermon Audio)
by

Good News: The GIFT of Repentance! (Sermon Audio)

~

This is the audio from the October 15, 2023 sermon, “Good News: The GIFT of Repentance”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Luke 13

“I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”
Luke 13:5 (NIV)

Today I continued a series from the gospel of Luke as we gaze deeply into God’s Word to find the good news of Jesus shared with us by Luke the physician.  As Jesus is teaching about the kingdom of God, we find Him giving us a closer view of repentance.  I suspect that gift is not the first word that comes to mind for most of us when we think of repentance.  When we know God’s desire and patience that wants all people to repent, we begin to understand just how much of a gift repentance is to all who would turn to God.  In turning to God with a desire to change, we find the . . .

  • Goal of repentance: — (Luke 13:1-5, 2 Peter 3:9)

    • When we read the answer of Jesus to members of the crowd who were talking about individuals who had been killed by Pilate, it appears that perhaps there was a thought that these people somehow deserved it.  Jesus uses this opportunity to address the true goal of repentance — that without it we all perish.  The will of God is that no one would perish but that all would come to repentance as the way to avoid perishing.  When we embrace the gift of repentance, we come face to face with the goal of eternal life.

  • Integrity of repentance: — (Luke 13:14-16, Isaiah 26:2-3)

    • With the goal of repentance being eternal life, it is important that we apply this gift with integrity.  Jesus had a practice of healing those who would come to Him in faith, regardless of whether the religious leaders thought it was an appropriate time or place.  God’s Word tells us that when our mind is fixed on God and our trust is placed in Him, we can experience perfect peace.  It is a peace that comes when we understand the results of our repentance has more to do with God’s integrity than ours.  When we embrace the gift of repentance, we find an honesty before God that lifts us to a place of peace.

  • Freedom of repentance: — (Luke 13:18-20, Psalm 119:30-32)

    • As Jesus tells parables to describe the kingdom of God, He makes it known that there is growth and room for all who would come to Him.  The kingdom of God begins as a seed of truth planted in the hearts and minds of people and it grows into something that has room for all who would seek rest.  God’s Word provides that boundaries that allow us to run in freedom according to His commands of truth.  We don’t get to set the requirements or expectations of what repentance ought to look like . . . that is God’s job.  When we embrace the gift of repentance, we find freedom to live for God and the wisdom to help others know that same freedom.

  • Transformation of repentance: — (Luke 13:24-30, Colossians 1:21-23)

    • Jesus makes it clear that there are many who will try to enter the kingdom of God and not be able to enter it because they never changed.  It is not enough to go to church, sing the songs, listen to the sermons, and even give time and money.  Jesus makes it clear that when we experience the gift of repentance we will be transformed by His power.  We are presented blameless before God, not because we have become perfect through our efforts but because we have been transformed through an acknowledgement that we needed God’s help in living in a new direction.  When we embrace the gift of repentance, we find the will and power to live a transformed life.

Today, what will you do with the GIFT of repentance?

Encouragement and Prayer: Rich In Good Deeds! (10/13/23)
by

Encouragement and Prayer: Rich In Good Deeds! (10/13/23)

~

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

“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Matthew 6:31-33 (NIV)

What kind of things, or riches, do you find yourself running after each day?  Are they “kingdom of God” things or are they things of the world?  Because we live in the world, there are things that we need but even in our need God wants us to pay close attention to what kind of riches we are seeking.  If we allow Him, God has a way of transforming us through a renewing of our mind so that the things we seek are the things of His kingdom and righteousness.

“Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.”
1 Timothy 6:18 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you examine the value you place on the riches of this world compared to the value you place on the things of God.  Pray that you would not allow money to define how rich you are toward others.  Pray that you would be rich in good deeds as you share of yourself in ways that benefit the needs of others.  Pray that an awareness of God’s goodness toward you would help you be rich in good deeds toward 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: Rich In Mercy! (10/12/23)
by

Encouragement and Prayer: Rich In Mercy! (10/12/23)

~

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

“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Matthew 6:31-33 (NIV)

What kind of things, or riches, do you find yourself running after each day?  Are they “kingdom of God” things or are they things of the world?  Because we live in the world, there are things that we need but even in our need God wants us to pay close attention to what kind of riches we are seeking.  If we allow Him, God has a way of transforming us through a renewing of our mind so that the things we seek are the things of His kingdom and righteousness.

“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions.”
Ephesians 2:4 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you examine the value you place on the riches of this world compared to the value you place on the things of God.  Pray that you would know true life because of the richness of God’s mercy.  Pray that the life you have in Christ would lead you to be rich in mercy toward others.  Pray that God’s love would be the basis for how you receive and extend His mercy.

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: Rich In Generosity! (10/11/23)
by

Encouragement and Prayer: Rich In Generosity! (10/11/23)

~

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

“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Matthew 6:31-33 (NIV)

What kind of things, or riches, do you find yourself running after each day?  Are they “kingdom of God” things or are they things of the world?  Because we live in the world, there are things that we need but even in our need God wants us to pay close attention to what kind of riches we are seeking.  If we allow Him, God has a way of transforming us through a renewing of our mind so that the things we seek are the things of His kingdom and righteousness.

“Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.”
2 Corinthians 8:2 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you examine the value you place on the riches of this world compared to the value you place on the things of God.  Pray that you would trust God in a way that allows you to be rich in generosity even when your circumstances make generosity difficult.  Pray that your generosity would flow from the joy that God brings to your life.

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: Rich Toward God! (10/10/23)
by

Encouragement and Prayer: Rich Toward God! (10/10/23)

~

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

“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Matthew 6:31-33 (NIV)

What kind of things, or riches, do you find yourself running after each day?  Are they “kingdom of God” things or are they things of the world?  Because we live in the world, there are things that we need but even in our need God wants us to pay close attention to what kind of riches we are seeking.  If we allow Him, God has a way of transforming us through a renewing of our mind so that the things we seek are the things of His kingdom and righteousness.

“This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.”
Luke 12:21 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to  help you examine the value you place on the riches of this world compared to the value you place on the things of God.  Pray that God would help you to examine your attitude regarding how much you are storing up for yourself versus how rich you are toward God.  Pray that being rich toward God would lead you to go through life with a loose grasp on the things of this world.

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: Rich In Love! (10/09/23)
by

Encouragement and Prayer: Rich In Love! (10/09/23)

~

This is the audio from the October 9, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Matthew 6:31-33 (NIV)

What kind of things, or riches, do you find yourself running after each day?  Are they “kingdom of God” things or are they things of the world?  Because we live in the world, there are things that we need but even in our need God wants us to pay close attention to what kind of riches we are seeking.  If we allow Him, God has a way of transforming us through a renewing of our mind so that the things we seek are the things of His kingdom and righteousness.  As you pray this week, ask God to  help you examine the value you place on the riches of this world compared to the value you place on the things of God.  Pray for greater contentment with godly riches as you trust God to supply  your needs for now and for eternity.  Pray that your recognition of the riches God has supplied would lead you to share those types of riches with others.  Pray that your acceptance of godly riches would help you to keep worldly riches in their proper perspective.

“The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.”
Psalm 145:8 (NIV)

Pray that you would know the abundance of God’s love as you experience His compassion and graciousness.  Pray that the richness of God’s love would help you to be slow to anger.  Pray that you would be rich in love as you share the goodness of God with the people around you.

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

In prayer,
Tom

Good News: A RICH Life! (Sermon Audio)
by

Good News: A RICH Life! (Sermon Audio)

~

This is the audio from the October 8, 2023 sermon, “Good News: A RICH Life”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Luke 12

“This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.”
Luke 12:21 (NIV)

Today I continued a series from the gospel of Luke as we gaze deeply into God’s Word to find the good news of Jesus shared with us by Luke the physician.  As Jesus is teaching about the kingdom of God, He is interrupted by a guy that wants Jesus to solve a family financial dispute.  Jesus seems to see through the heart of the matter and addresses the issue of greed by telling a story of a man whose crops produced an abundant harvest.  The man thought he had it made and could take life easy but God proclaims the man is a food because he only stored up for himself and was not rich toward God.  As we look at the surrounding context of this story, we discover what it looks like from God’s perspective for us to live a life that is . . .

  • Righteous: — (Luke 12:1-3)

    • Jesus begins this chapter of Luke with a warning regarding the hypocrisy of the Pharisees.  In fact, He will state elsewhere that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the Pharisees you will never enter the kingdom of God.  Being rich toward God requires that we live a righteous life, not by our own power, might, or ability but by the cleansing power of the blood of Jesus.

  • Instructed: — (Luke 12:22-31)

    • After telling the parable of the rich fool, Jesus goes on to instruct His disciples about why storing up for ourselves without being rich toward God is a foolish thing.  The instruction that we need when it comes to using wisely all that God has entrusted us with centers around Him as the source of all good things.  Being rich toward God requires that we live an instructed life so that we know and do what pleases Him.

  • Compassionate: — (Luke 12:32-34)

    • As Jesus continued instructing His disciples, and us, He made the application of our contentment leading to a compassionate sharing with those in need.  When we learn to value people more than we value the stuff of this world, we learn to seek that which benefits others even at our own expense.  Being rich toward God requires that we live a compassionate life that makes all that we have available for God’s use.

  • Humble: — (Luke 12:35-40)

    • Jesus fully understands the humility required to serve others, especially if we think we ought to be in charge.  In fact, Jesus showed us the full extent of His love, and His humility, when He loosened His grasp on heaven to come to earth as the sacrifice for our sin.  His life was lived as a servant of all even to the extent of washing the feet of His disciples.  His expectation for us is that we would humble ourselves to become a faithful servant that is watching for the return of our Master.  Being rich toward God requires that we live a humble life so the He is the One who lifts us up to be seated with Him in the heavenlies.

Today, how will you live a RICH life?

Encouragement and Prayer: Talk Truthfully To God! (10/06/23)
by

Encouragement and Prayer: Talk Truthfully To God! (10/06/23)

~

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

“One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.’”
Luke 11:1 (NIV)

This week our prayer emphasis will focus on the teaching of Jesus about how we ought to pray.  I believe the disciples had noticed something different about the prayer life of Jesus, something that went beyond the teaching John had done about prayer.  Jesus was consistently making time to talk with His Father in a way that gave that conversation priority.  When you need someone to talk to, who do you go to first?  Why?  Is it easy or difficult for you to think about talking first to God about everything?  Why?  Our prayer emphasis this week will have us praying about the application points from Jesus teaching His disciples to pray.

“Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”
Matthew 6:12 (NIV)

As you pray, ask God to help you make your conversations with Him a priority in your life.  Pray that you would always be truthful with God about the sin in your life and the debt He has paid to remove it.  Pray that you would be truthful in your forgiveness of others.  Ask God to help you show His love in the way you are truthful with your own debts and the debts of others.

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

In prayer,
Tom