Ministry

Godly Sorrow Which Produces A Great JOY! (Sermon Audio)
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Godly Sorrow Which Produces A Great JOY! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the April 24, 2022 sermon, “Godly Sorrow”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text:  2 Corinthians 7:2-16, Psalm 30:4-5

Sorrow tends to come to each of us from a variety of sources and for different purposes.  While most of us would rather avoid sorrow, God says there is a kind of sorrow that, when allowed to do its work, produces a great . . .

  • Journey.  2 Corinthians 7:2-7, John 16:33
    • I suspect that there are aspects of any journey we have undertaken that either haven’t gone exactly as planned, or we simply didn’t like what we went through.  One of the keys to pressing on through the midst of sorrow is to realize our journey is taking us to a destination that is full of joy.  The godly sorrow that we experience, and even the godly sorrow that we cause, can all be part of a great journey that helps us appreciate the goodness of God even in the midst of difficult times.
  • Obedience.  2 Corinthians 7:8-11, Jeremiah 42:6
    • One of the primary differences between godly sorrow and the sorrow of the world is how we react.  God’s desire for us in our experiences of sorrow is that we would respond with obedience.  Paul acknowledges that he was one of the sources of sorrow for the Corinthians, but because that sorrow led to repentance Paul did not regret the things he had written.  While there are times our sharing of God’s Word may bring sorrow into our life or into the lives of others, when our heart and motives are pure that sorrow ought to lead to a greater obedience.
  • You!  2 Corinthians 7:12-16, James 1:2-4
    • I suspect that if I were to ask if you wanted to be mature and complete, your answer would either be that you thought you already were or that you would like to be.  James tells us that we should consider it pure joy when we face trials (sorrows) of various kinds because the end result is that we would be made mature and complete.  When our sorrow is lived out as godly sorrow, it changes you as it changes your journey, your obedience, and YOU!

How will you allow godly sorrow to produce great JOY?

Encouragement and Prayer: Confirming Discovery! (04/22/22)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Confirming Discovery! (04/22/22)

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This is the audio from the April 22, 2022 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him.  He asked them, ‘What are you discussing together as you walk along?’”
Luke 24:15-17 (NIV)

Our “Lifestyle of Prayer” emphasis this week will focus on some lessons from a walk with Jesus.  While we tend to gather and celebrate resurrection morning with gladness, that first resurrection morning was filled with much confusion and uncertainty.  It is in that confusion that Jesus joins two disciples for a walk and helps them to understand all that had happened.

“Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.”
Luke 24:24 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you grow in understanding as you walk with Him each day.  Pray for an openness in checking out what others have found in their search for Jesus.  Pray that your life would confirm to others that Jesus is exactly who He claims to be.  Pray that your confirmed faith in Jesus would help you share Him with 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: Amazing Faith, Amazing Testimony! (04/21/22)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Amazing Faith, Amazing Testimony! (04/21/22)

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This is the audio from the April 21, 2022 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him.  He asked them, ‘What are you discussing together as you walk along?’”
Luke 24:15-17 (NIV)

Our “Lifestyle of Prayer” emphasis this week will focus on some lessons from a walk with Jesus.  While we tend to gather and celebrate resurrection morning with gladness, that first resurrection morning was filled with much confusion and uncertainty.  It is in that confusion that Jesus joins two disciples for a walk and helps them to understand all that had happened.

“In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn’t find his body.”
Luke 24:22 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you grow in understanding as you walk with Him each day.  Pray for a faith that anticipates being amazed by God.  Pray that the practice of your faith would amaze those who see your faith in action.  Pray about how God would have you share the amazing things you have found in your pursuit of Jesus.

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: Hope Of Redemption! (04/20/22)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Hope Of Redemption! (04/20/22)

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This is the audio from the April 20, 2022 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him.  He asked them, ‘What are you discussing together as you walk along?’”
Luke 24:15-17 (NIV)

Our “Lifestyle of Prayer” emphasis this week will focus on some lessons from a walk with Jesus.  While we tend to gather and celebrate resurrection morning with gladness, that first resurrection morning was filled with much confusion and uncertainty.  It is in that confusion that Jesus joins two disciples for a walk and helps them to understand all that had happened.

“We had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place.”
Luke 24:21 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you grow in understanding as you walk with Him each day.  Pray that you would live with a confident hope as one who has been redeemed by the blood of Jesus.  Pray that you would trust God’s timing in everything, especially when you feel like too much time has passed for anything good to come out of tragic circumstances.

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: Crucified By Leaders! (04/19/22)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Crucified By Leaders! (04/19/22)

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This is the audio from the April 19, 2022 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him.  He asked them, ‘What are you discussing together as you walk along?’”
Luke 24:15-17 (NIV)

Our “Lifestyle of Prayer” emphasis this week will focus on some lessons from a walk with Jesus.  While we tend to gather and celebrate resurrection morning with gladness, that first resurrection morning was filled with much confusion and uncertainty.  It is in that confusion that Jesus joins two disciples for a walk and helps them to understand all that had happened.

“The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him.”
Luke 24:20 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you grow in understanding as you walk with Him each day.  Pray that you would grasp the extent of God’s love for you as He allowed Jesus to be crucified.  Pray for an awareness of how your sin required a penalty you couldn’t afford.  Pray for a heart that is not hardened by the deceitfulness of the enemy.

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: A Powerful Prophet! (04/18/22)
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Encouragement and Prayer: A Powerful Prophet! (04/18/22)

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This is the audio from the April 18, 2022 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him.  He asked them, ‘What are you discussing together as you walk along?’”
Luke 24:15-17 (NIV)

Our “Lifestyle of Prayer” emphasis this week will focus on some lessons from a walk with Jesus.  While we tend to gather and celebrate resurrection morning with gladness, that first resurrection morning was filled with much confusion and uncertainty.  It is in that confusion that Jesus joins two disciples for a walk and helps them to understand all that had happened.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you grow in understanding as you walk with Him each day.  Pray for the courage to be honest with Jesus about your questions and the times you lack understanding.  Pray that the lessons you learn would be lessons that you willingly share with others.  Pray for the humility needed to listen to others in their times of confusion.  Pray that you would share the good news of Jesus with others as you join them in their walk.  Pray that the resurrection of Jesus would fill you with a message of hope that you carry with you everywhere you go.

“About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people.”
Luke 24:19 (NIV)

Pray for a growing knowledge of how Jesus fulfilled the prophecies concerning the Messiah.  Pray that you would accept the power of God’s Word as represented in the life of Jesus.  Pray that you would always trust the promises of Jesus.

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

In prayer,
Tom

Do You Love ME? (Sermon Audio)
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Do You Love ME? (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the April 17, 2022 sermon, “Do You Love ME?”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text:  John 21:4-19

In the midst of the uncertainties, confusion, and routines of life, Jesus calls out to ask a simple question — “Do you love . . .

  • More.  John 21:11-15, Philippians 1:8-10, Luke 7:41-43
    • While there are various opinions on what Jesus was referring to when He asked Peter if he loved Him “more than these”, I believe He asks us us each day if we love more.  More than we love the world.  More than we love our self.  More than we loved yesterday.  More.  Love is not a static element.  It is either growing or declining and our love for Jesus is one that ought to be growing in depth and insight — both in knowledge and application.  The more we realize just how much our sin separated us from God and the greatness of His forgiveness, the more we ought to love.
  • Enough.  John 21:17-19, Luke 6:32-26, John 13:1
    • Even when we answer Jesus with, “Yes, I love more.”, I believe He still asks if we love enough.  Loving more is a great start, but do we love enough to do something about it?  While Peter kept affirming that he indeed loved Jesus, the question seemed to remain about whether he loved enough to feed His sheep and care for His lambs.  Is your love for Jesus enough to allow Him to do the impossible through you?  Is your love enough to motivate you to serve, teach, visit, give, help, care for all people?  When we have a love that is enough, it will compel us to do the things that force could never make us do.

How will you respond as Jesus asks, “Do you love ME”?

Encouragement and Prayer: I Am Thirsty! (04/15/22)
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Encouragement and Prayer: I Am Thirsty! (04/15/22)

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This is the audio from the April 15, 2022 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 focus on a return to 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.

“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.

In prayer,
Tom