Life Lessons

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

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This is the audio from the March 12, 2023 sermon, “A Road of Generosity: What Will You GIVE?”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Luke 20:45 – 21:6

“But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.”
1 Chronicles 29:14 (NIV)

Today I continued a sermon series with a focus on The Road to Resurrection.  Each week of this series will consider a different glimpse of the life of Jesus during His final week leading up to His death, burial, and resurrection.  When we understand that the true ownership of all that we have and all that we are belongs to God, it ought to lead us along a road of generosity.  While we often think of generosity in terms of the amount we give, I believe God would have us be more serious in examining what we . . .

  • Glorify.  Luke 20:45-46
    • Walking with Christ on a road of generosity will lead us to examine what we glorify.  In our text, Jesus points out those who practice a form of religion that became all about their own glory.  When we walk a path of life which seeks to glorify our self, we will quickly lose sight of what true generosity looks like.  It is when we choose in every circumstance to glorify God, we discover an attitude of generosity that truly reflects Jesus.
  • Invest.  Luke 20:47 – 21:2
    • Walking with Christ on a road of generosity will lead us to examine what we invest.  In our text, we find a contrast between those who invest with what is extra and those who invest everything they have.  Jesus makes it clear in His teaching that we must give our self fully to God in order to be His disciple.  When we invest in self with no regard for God’s kingdom, we will quickly fall into a trap of selfishness that drowns out God’s desire for us to be generous.  It is when we choose to invest all that we have and all that we are into the kingdom of God, also known as people, we find that we live with a generosity that can only come from Jesus.
  • Value.  Luke 21:3-4
    • Walking with Christ on a road of generosity will lead us to examine what we value.  In our text, it appears that a distinction is made between those who value an appearance of godliness and those who value God.  When we define what we value by the standards of the world, we soon find our self choosing temporary over eternal.  It is when we chose to value what God values, we discover a lifestyle of generosity toward people that will help to make Jesus known.
  • Enjoy.  Luke 21:5-6
    • Walking with Christ on a road of generosity will lead us to examine what we enjoy.  In our text, we see the conversation quickly shift from observing a person giving everything they have to an apparent change of subject regarding the beauty of the temple.  Our world is filled with great beauty and things of enjoyment, but it can become very easy to forget these things are just shadows of the things to come.  It is when we choose to enjoy the presence and creativity of God, we find a satisfaction that leads us to a growing generosity as a fitting response to God’s generosity.

Today, what will you choose to GIVE?

Encouragement and Prayer: Stewardship Above Reproach! (3/10/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Stewardship Above Reproach! (3/10/23)

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

“’Show me a denarius. Whose portrait and inscription are on it?’  ‘Caesar’s,’ they replied.   He said to them, ‘Then give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.’”
Luke 20:24-25 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus is about God’s desire that we live as stewards of His.  Perhaps the most difficult part of doing that is the first hurdle of acknowledging His ownership of everything.  Many people hear the word stewardship and their first reaction is to tune out the person speaking because “they’re just wanting my money.”  There are two problems with that thought — one, it assumes stewardship is only about money; and two, it assumes your ownership of anything you’ve been entrusted with.  Godly stewardship recognizes that we do not have anything that we have not received from God, and what we have received God expects us to use for the benefit of others as He advances His kingdom through us.

“For the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain.”
Titus 1:7 (NASB)

As you pray this week, ask God to fill you with His perspective on the purpose of “things”.  Pray that you would be known as one who uses God’s resources for the good of others above your own.  Pray that your lifestyle would show you to be above reproach as you manage the things God has given 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: Stewardship of God’s Word! (3/9/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Stewardship of God’s Word! (3/9/23)

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

“’Show me a denarius. Whose portrait and inscription are on it?’  ‘Caesar’s,’ they replied.   He said to them, ‘Then give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.’”
Luke 20:24-25 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus is about God’s desire that we live as stewards of His.  Perhaps the most difficult part of doing that is the first hurdle of acknowledging His ownership of everything.  Many people hear the word stewardship and their first reaction is to tune out the person speaking because “they’re just wanting my money.”  There are two problems with that thought — one, it assumes stewardship is only about money; and two, it assumes your ownership of anything you’ve been entrusted with.  Godly stewardship recognizes that we do not have anything that we have not received from God, and what we have received God expects us to use for the benefit of others as He advances His kingdom through us.

“Of this church I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit, so that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God.”
Colossians 1:25 (NASB)

As you pray this week, ask God to fill you with His perspective on the purpose of “things”.  Pray that you would view God’s Word as a valuable resource He expects you to be a wise steward of.  Pray that you would use God’s Word fully as you serve people.

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: Trustworthy Stewardship! (3/8/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Trustworthy Stewardship! (3/8/23)

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This is the audio from the March 8, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“’Show me a denarius. Whose portrait and inscription are on it?’  ‘Caesar’s,’ they replied.   He said to them, ‘Then give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.’”
Luke 20:24-25 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus is about God’s desire that we live as stewards of His.  Perhaps the most difficult part of doing that is the first hurdle of acknowledging His ownership of everything.  Many people hear the word stewardship and their first reaction is to tune out the person speaking because “they’re just wanting my money.”  There are two problems with that thought — one, it assumes stewardship is only about money; and two, it assumes your ownership of anything you’ve been entrusted with.  Godly stewardship recognizes that we do not have anything that we have not received from God, and what we have received God expects us to use for the benefit of others as He advances His kingdom through us.

“In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy.”
1 Corinthians 4:2 (NASB)

As you pray this week, ask God to fill you with His perspective on the purpose of “things”.  Pray that the way in which you use the things God has entrusted you with would be worthy of His trust.  Pray that others would know you as trustworthy because of the visible way you use the resources you have received from God.

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: Stewardship of God’s Mysteries! (3/7/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Stewardship of God’s Mysteries! (3/7/23)

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This is the audio from the March 7, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“’Show me a denarius. Whose portrait and inscription are on it?’  ‘Caesar’s,’ they replied.   He said to them, ‘Then give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.’”
Luke 20:24-25 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus is about God’s desire that we live as stewards of His.  Perhaps the most difficult part of doing that is the first hurdle of acknowledging His ownership of everything.  Many people hear the word stewardship and their first reaction is to tune out the person speaking because “they’re just wanting my money.”  There are two problems with that thought — one, it assumes stewardship is only about money; and two, it assumes your ownership of anything you’ve been entrusted with.  Godly stewardship recognizes that we do not have anything that we have not received from God, and what we have received God expects us to use for the benefit of others as He advances His kingdom through us.

“Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.”
1 Corinthians 4:1 (NASB)

As you pray this week, ask God to fill you with His perspective on the purpose of “things”.  Pray that you would recognize the mysteries of God that He has entrusted you with.  Pray that even when the nature of God remains mysterious, you would be known as one who is a good steward of those mysteries.

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: Stewardship of People! (3/6/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Stewardship of People! (3/6/23)

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

“’Show me a denarius. Whose portrait and inscription are on it?’  ‘Caesar’s,’ they replied.   He said to them, ‘Then give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.’”
Luke 20:24-25 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus is about God’s desire that we live as stewards of His.  Perhaps the most difficult part of doing that is the first hurdle of acknowledging His ownership of everything.  Many people hear the word stewardship and their first reaction is to tune out the person speaking because “they’re just wanting my money.”  There are two problems with that thought — one, it assumes stewardship is only about money; and two, it assumes your ownership of anything you’ve been entrusted with.  Godly stewardship recognizes that we do not have anything that we have not received from God, and what we have received God expects us to use for the benefit of others as He advances His kingdom through us.  As you pray this week, ask God to fill you with His perspective on the purpose of “things”.  Pray that you would seek to be a good steward as you spend time listening for how the Owner would want His things used . . . and yes, that includes the money that you think is yours.  Pray that you would learn to live with a loose grip on the things you have been entrusted with.

“And the Lord said, ‘Who then is the faithful and sensible steward, whom his master will put in charge of his servants, to give them their rations at the proper time?’”
Luke 12:42 (NASB)

Pray that you would be known as both faithful and sensible in the way you deal with the people God surrounds you with.  Pray that part of your stewardship would involve giving to others as they have need.

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

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This is the audio from the March 5, 2023 sermon, “A Road of Ownership: What Do You OWN?”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Luke 20:20-26

“As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it.”
Luke 19:41 (NIV)

Today I continued a sermon series with a focus on The Road to Resurrection.  Each week of this series will consider a different glimpse of the life of Jesus during His final week leading up to His death, burial, and resurrection. The road to resurrection included a stop where Jesus was questioned about the paying of taxes to Rome.  In His answer, Jesus defines ownership as being reflected in the image something bears.  As those who are in Christ and bear the image of God, we need to take a new look at what we . . .

  • Owe.  Luke 20:22
    • “Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.   Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.”  Romans 13:7-8 (NIV)
  • Want.  Luke 20:23
    • “So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.  For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.”  Galatians 5:16-17 (NIV)
  • Need.  Luke 20:25-26
    • “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”  Luke 10:41-42 (NIV)

Today, will you be a good steward of what you think you OWN?

Encouragement and Prayer: Sorrow Over Disrespect! (3/3/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Sorrow Over Disrespect! (3/3/23)

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

“As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it.”
Luke 19:41 (NIV)

This week’s prayer guide begins a series that will look at snapshots from the week leading up to the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.  As we consider the path of Jesus to the cross and beyond, we will examine how we are called to walk with Him.  While the week leading to the cross began with great excitement and celebration by the crowd, the response of Jesus was one of great sorrow.  We learn much about being like Jesus when our own road to resurrection through the blood of Jesus begins on a road of sorrow.

“Then he entered the temple area and began driving out those who were selling.”
Luke 19:45 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you understand the reasons Jesus wept.  Pray that your life would show an appropriate honor and respect for the things of God.  Pray for a godly sorrow which would convict you of anything that would be disrespectful.  Pray that the way you honor God and show respect to others would help them see a God who is worthy of all honor.

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

In prayer,
Tom