Life Lessons

Following Jesus – A Time To DIE! (Sermon Audio)
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Following Jesus – A Time To DIE! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the April 18, 2025 Good Friday sermon, “Following Jesus: A Time To DIE!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the West Side Church of Christ.

Text: Matthew 27:22-54

 

“I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.”
John 12:24 (NIV)

As one called by Jesus to “Come, follow me”, Matthew gives us great teaching on what it looks like to live a life which follows Jesus.  As we look at the crucifixion of Jesus, we find for our self a time to . . .

  • Decide:  Matthew 27:22-26

    • The time to die was a time to decide for Jesus long before the cross.  He made the decision while in heaven with His Father to humble himself and become obedient even to death on a  cross.  Our time to die is also a time for us to decide whether we choose Barabbas (sin) or Jesus. 

  • Invite:  Matthew 27:32-43, Luke 23:39-43

    • Jesus used His time to die as a time to invite a thief to join Him in paradise.  But it wasn’t only a thief who confessed the appropriateness of his own punishment who has been invited by Jesus — His invitation is to all who would agree with Him about our sin and choose to call upon His name in obedience.  When we choose to die to sin and self, we also find a time to invite all who would come to experience the goodness of Jesus that we know.

  • Exclaim:  Matthew 27:45-54

    • For Jesus, the time to die was a time to exclaim to the world that His work was finished.  The seed of the gospel was about to fall into the ground only to germinate and burst forth three days later.  Even the soldiers on duty at the crucifixion couldn’t help but to exclaim that this surely was the Son of God.  It it through joining with Christ in His death that our life is able to exclaim to the world that Jesus is indeed Lord and Savior.

 

“What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?  By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?  Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?  We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.  If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection.  For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin —  because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.”
Romans 6:1-7

Today, how will you choose to DIE?

Encouragement and Prayer: I Thirst! (4/18/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: I Thirst! (4/18/25)

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This is the audio from the April 18, 2025 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
Hebrews 12:2-3 (NIV)

Our “Lifestyle of Prayer” emphasis this week will return to a focus on the words of Jesus from the cross.  As we spend the week preparing to celebrate Resurrection Sunday, it is fitting to not only consider the sacrifice Jesus made, but to apply His very words to how we pray.  Pray for a greater awareness of the things Jesus went through to bring salvation to you.  Pray about how the words of Jesus will help you know the fullness of His love for you.  Pray that you would realize how you are part of the joy that was set before Jesus as He endured the cross.  Pray that your life would reflect the message of the cross to the people around you.

“Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, ‘I am thirsty.’”
John 19:28 (NIV)

As you pray this week, use the topics to help you pray through difficulties, through weakness, through loneliness, through concern for others, and most importantly through the eyes of Jesus.  Pray that you would always hunger and thirst for righteousness so that you would be satisfied.  Pray that you would know the value of God’s completed work in satisfying your thirst.  Pray that the people you see today would have a real thirst for the things of God.

You can find the live video feeds of these 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: Why Have You Forsaken Me?! (4/17/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Why Have You Forsaken Me?! (4/17/25)

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This is the audio from the April 17, 2025 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
Hebrews 12:2-3 (NIV)

Our “Lifestyle of Prayer” emphasis this week will return to a focus on the words of Jesus from the cross.  As we spend the week preparing to celebrate Resurrection Sunday, it is fitting to not only consider the sacrifice Jesus made, but to apply His very words to how we pray.  Pray for a greater awareness of the things Jesus went through to bring salvation to you.  Pray about how the words of Jesus will help you know the fullness of His love for you.  Pray that you would realize how you are part of the joy that was set before Jesus as He endured the cross.  Pray that your life would reflect the message of the cross to the people around you.

“About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?’–which means, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’”
Matthew 27:46 (NIV)

As you pray this week, use the topics to help you pray through difficulties, through weakness, through loneliness, through concern for others, and most importantly through the eyes of Jesus.  Pray for the courage to cry out to God whenever you feel discouraged.  Pray for those who feel forsaken by God; that you would represent Jesus well to them.  Pray for the humility to love and serve those who feel abandoned.

You can find the live video feeds of these 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: Behold, Your Son! (4/16/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Behold, Your Son! (4/16/25)

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This is the audio from the April 16, 2025 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
Hebrews 12:2-3 (NIV)

Our “Lifestyle of Prayer” emphasis this week will return to a focus on the words of Jesus from the cross.  As we spend the week preparing to celebrate Resurrection Sunday, it is fitting to not only consider the sacrifice Jesus made, but to apply His very words to how we pray.  Pray for a greater awareness of the things Jesus went through to bring salvation to you.  Pray about how the words of Jesus will help you know the fullness of His love for you.  Pray that you would realize how you are part of the joy that was set before Jesus as He endured the cross.  Pray that your life would reflect the message of the cross to the people around you.

“When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, ‘Dear woman, here is your son,’ and to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.”
John 19:26-27 (NIV)

As you pray this week, use the topics to help you pray through difficulties, through weakness, through loneliness, through concern for others, and most importantly through the eyes of Jesus.  Pray about how God would have you respond to those with no family.  Pray that you would know of God’s care for you when you feel alone.  Pray that you would live as God’s family with those who have no other family.

You can find the live video feeds of these 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: You Will Be With Me! (4/15/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: You Will Be With Me! (4/15/25)

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This is the audio from the April 15, 2025 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
Hebrews 12:2-3 (NIV)

Our “Lifestyle of Prayer” emphasis this week will return to a focus on the words of Jesus from the cross.  As we spend the week preparing to celebrate Resurrection Sunday, it is fitting to not only consider the sacrifice Jesus made, but to apply His very words to how we pray.  Pray for a greater awareness of the things Jesus went through to bring salvation to you.  Pray about how the words of Jesus will help you know the fullness of His love for you.  Pray that you would realize how you are part of the joy that was set before Jesus as He endured the cross.  Pray that your life would reflect the message of the cross to the people around you.

“Jesus answered him, ‘I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.’”
Luke 23:43 (NIV)

As you pray this week, use the topics to help you pray through difficulties, through weakness, through loneliness, through concern for others, and most importantly through the eyes of Jesus.  Pray that you would live each day with a knowledge of God’s presence with you through His Spirit.  Pray that your life and words would be an invitation for others to live in the presence of Jesus.  Pray that the people you interact with today would have a desire to know, and be known, by Jesus.

You can find the live video feeds of these 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: Father, Forgive Them! (4/14/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Father, Forgive Them! (4/14/25)

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This is the audio from the April 14, 2025 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
Hebrews 12:2-3 (NIV)

Our “Lifestyle of Prayer” emphasis this week will return to a focus on the words of Jesus from the cross.  As we spend the week preparing to celebrate Resurrection Sunday, it is fitting to not only consider the sacrifice Jesus made, but to apply His very words to how we pray.  Pray for a greater awareness of the things Jesus went through to bring salvation to you.  Pray about how the words of Jesus will help you know the fullness of His love for you.  Pray that you would realize how you are part of the joy that was set before Jesus as He endured the cross.  Pray that your life would reflect the message of the cross to the people around you.

“Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’ And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.”
Luke 23:34 (NIV)

As you pray this week, use the topics to help you pray through difficulties, through weakness, through loneliness, through concern for others, and most importantly through the eyes of Jesus.  Pray for a growing awareness of the fullness of God’s forgiveness extended toward you.  Pray that you would learn to forgive others, just as in Christ you are forgiven.  Pray that the people you see today would realize and accept the Father’s forgiveness.

You can find the live video feeds of these 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

Following Jesus – A Time To SHOUT! (Sermon Audio)
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Following Jesus – A Time To SHOUT! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the April 13, 2025 sermon, “Following Jesus: A Time To SHOUT!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Matthew 21:1-17

 

“The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David!’ ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ‘Hosanna in the highest!'”
Matthew 21:9 (NIV)

 

As one called by Jesus to “Come, follow me”, Matthew gives us great teaching on what it looks like to live a life which follows Jesus.  A life in Christ and with Christ is possible when we welcome Him with a triumphal entry into our life.  As we jump ahead in our journey through the Gospel of Matthew to the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, we rejoice in His arrival with a time to . . .

  • Seek:  Matthew 21:1-3

    • Jesus sent two of the disciples out to seek something He knew they would find.  When the Bible tells us to seek the Lord while He may be found, it is doing so with the understanding that Jesus will make a triumphal entry into any life which earnestly seeks Him with a whole heart.  We shout the arrival of Jesus when we learn to seek Him from wherever we are. 

  • Honor:  Matthew 21:4-5

    • As Jesus made His way into Jerusalem on a borrowed donkey, He did so as One who was well received and honored.  While He was not riding a horse of battle or victory, He did come in a way which fulfilled prophesy about the Messiah who would come and save His people.  Even when understanding was incomplete, the people honored the arrival of this King of Peace.  We shout the arrival of Jesus when we choose to honor Him with our life.

  • Obey:  Matthew 21:6-11

    • The honor given to Jesus was made known not only by words, but by an obedience to doing what He asked.  The disciples who were sent to seek the donkey and its colt did so regardless of how they felt about the likelihood of success.  We shout the arrival of Jesus in our life when we choose to obey all that He has taught and commanded.

  • Undo:  Matthew 21:12-13

    • As Jesus made His way into the temple courts He encountered life choices which people needed to undo in order to be right with Him.  People had turned what should have been a house of prayer into a “den of robbers”.  When we welcome Jesus into our life, we become His dwelling as His Spirit lives within us.  When we live as the temple of God, we must learn to undo the deeds of the flesh so that we would live by the Spirit and become the house of prayer we are called to be.  We shout the arrival of Jesus when we undo our “den of robbers” through our repentance.

  • Tell:  Matthew 21:14-17

    • As Jesus encountered criticism for not silencing the children who were shouting His praises, He makes it clear that they were designed to tell about Him.  As Jesus enters our life, it ought to be a normal and natural thing to tell people about all that He is doing in our life.  We tell by the words we use and we tell by the life we live.  We shout the arrival of Jesus when “we cannot help but to tell all we have seen and heard” about Jesus.  

Today, how will you SHOUT?

Encouragement and Prayer: Sow To Please the Spirit! (4/11/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Sow To Please the Spirit! (4/11/25)

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This is the audio from the April 11, 2025 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“The wicked man earns deceptive wages,
but he who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.”
Proverbs 11:18 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on some things we ought to be sowing in our life and in the lives of others.  Growing up on a farm, I spent many winter evenings going through the various seed catalogs deciding what I would like to harvest the next summer.  Even as a child it didn’t take long to realize that if I wanted a specific harvest I would have to sow a specific seed.  Likewise, the harvest that is produced as we go through this life, and beyond, is related to what we do with the seed which has been planted within us and what kind of seeds we are sowing each day that we live. Pray that you would be careful with what you allow to be sown in your life and with what you are sowing that eventually produce a harvest.  Pray that you would keep your eyes focused on Jesus to the extent that everything you sow with your words and actions would point others to Him.  Pray that the good seed of God’s Word would find good soil in your life and in the lives of those around you.

“The one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.”
Galatians 6:8 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you examine how the seed of His Word is growing in your life.  Pray that you would be ever mindful of God’s Spirit within you as you choose what to sow in this life. Pray that your desire would always be to sow the things which please the Spirit as you look toward the harvest of eternal life.

You can find the live video feeds of these 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