Ministry

Following Jesus – Prepared For TRIAL! (Sermon Audio)
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Following Jesus – Prepared For TRIAL! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the August 31, 2025 sermon, “Following Jesus: Prepared For Trial!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Matthew 26:57 – 27:26

 

“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.” 
1 Peter 4:12 (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 Jesus approached His death, burial, and resurrection, His example helps us to be prepared for . . .

  • Testimony:  Matthew 26:59-64

    • As Jesus stood before the chief priests and the Sanhedrin, and eventually Pilate, He was prepared for the testimony which would be given.  Instead of relying on the testimony of others, most of which was false testimony, Jesus let His life speak for itself.  When we learn from the example of Jesus, our actions in obedience to Him will always speak louder as our testimony than anything others might say. 

  • Rejection:  Matthew 26:69-75

    • As Jesus stood before the chief priests and the Sanhedrin, and eventually Pilate, He was prepared for the rejection of Himself that would take place even by those closest to Him.  If fact, He had told the disciples that they would all abandon Him and even pointed out ahead of time the denials that Peter would make.  When we learn from the example of Jesus, we always work toward restoration of others even when they may deny and betray us.

  • Insults:  Matthew 27:1-10

    • As Jesus stood before the chief priests and the Sanhedrin, and eventually Pilate, He was prepared for the insults which would be heaped upon Him.  In the sorrow of Judas, we see a regret that his actions did not accomplish the desired result he had hoped for.  For me, the great insult came as Judas failed to learn from Jesus and failed to trust Him to do what was best and right without manipulation.  When we learn from the example of Jesus, we endure insults as the product of one who does not understand our true nature.

  • Accusation:  Matthew 27:12-18

    • As Jesus stood before the chief priests and the Sanhedrin, and eventually Pilate, He was prepared for the many accusations that He chose not to respond to.  His only response was to affirm that He was indeed the king of the Jews as had been said.  When we learn from the example of Jesus, we discover that not every accusation deserves a response as giving a response may often lower us to the level of our accusers.

  • Loneliness:  Matthew 27:20-26

    • As Jesus stood before the chief priests and the Sanhedrin, and eventually Pilate, He was prepared for the loneliness of standing alone.  At His trial all of His disciples and follower fled with only a few returning to be witness to His crucifixion, with most of those from a distance.  Not only was He prepared for the loneliness of standing trial, but also for the greater loneliness of being forsaken by His Father as He took on our sin.  When we learn from the example of Jesus, we find that people will ignore and forsake us but that Jesus will never leave us alone.

Today, how will you be prepared for TRIAL?

Encouragement and Prayer: Pray With a Clear Mind! (8/29/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Pray With a Clear Mind! (8/29/25)

This is the audio from the August 29, 2025 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.  The spirit is willing, but the body is weak” 
Matthew 26:41 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be about our need to pray!  If prayer is as central in our life as it ought to be then we ought to be talking with God and seeking His help in this area.  I suspect one of the big reasons we need to seek God’s help in our prayer life is the command to “devote yourselves to prayer”.  If God had said to simply pray when you feel like it or when it’s convenient, most of us could handle that.  But devoting ourselves to prayer is an entirely different task.  When we go to God about our prayer life, we open our self up to His instruction and guidance in the way we relate to Him.  Pray that you would understand your need for God’s  help in this part of your relationship with Him — as in all other parts.  Pray that you would be always watchful and thankful as you pray so that you would not fall into temptation.  Pray that  your relationship with God would grow as your practice of prayer grows.

“The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.”
1 Peter 4:7 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you examine just how devoted to prayer you are.  Ask God to help you overcome distractions that keep you from praying as you ought.  Pray that you would recognize the nearness of the end of this age so you would know the importance of praying with a clear mind and with self control.

You can find the live video feeds of previous 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: Pray In Times of Trouble! (8/28/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Pray In Times of Trouble! (8/28/25)

This is the audio from the August 28, 2025 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.  The spirit is willing, but the body is weak” 
Matthew 26:41 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be about our need to pray!  If prayer is as central in our life as it ought to be then we ought to be talking with God and seeking His help in this area.  I suspect one of the big reasons we need to seek God’s help in our prayer life is the command to “devote yourselves to prayer”.  If God had said to simply pray when you feel like it or when it’s convenient, most of us could handle that.  But devoting ourselves to prayer is an entirely different task.  When we go to God about our prayer life, we open our self up to His instruction and guidance in the way we relate to Him.  Pray that you would understand your need for God’s  help in this part of your relationship with Him — as in all other parts.  Pray that you would be always watchful and thankful as you pray so that you would not fall into temptation.  Pray that  your relationship with God would grow as your practice of prayer grows.

“Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.”
James 5:13 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you examine just how devoted to prayer you are.  Ask God to help you look to Him in times of trouble — whether it is trouble you face or trouble those around you experience.  Pray that you would know the praise of peace that comes to those who seek God in times of trouble.  Pray for the courage to have others pray for you during times of trouble.

You can find the live video feeds of previous 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: Pray For Restoration! (8/27/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Pray For Restoration! (8/27/25)

This is the audio from the August 27, 2025 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.  The spirit is willing, but the body is weak” 
Matthew 26:41 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be about our need to pray!  If prayer is as central in our life as it ought to be then we ought to be talking with God and seeking His help in this area.  I suspect one of the big reasons we need to seek God’s help in our prayer life is the command to “devote yourselves to prayer”.  If God had said to simply pray when you feel like it or when it’s convenient, most of us could handle that.  But devoting ourselves to prayer is an entirely different task.  When we go to God about our prayer life, we open our self up to His instruction and guidance in the way we relate to Him.  Pray that you would understand your need for God’s  help in this part of your relationship with Him — as in all other parts.  Pray that you would be always watchful and thankful as you pray so that you would not fall into temptation.  Pray that  your relationship with God would grow as your practice of prayer grows.

“I particularly urge you to pray so that I may be restored to you soon.”
Hebrews 13:19 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you examine just how devoted to prayer you are.  Ask God to help you notice those who are distant and need to be restored.  Pray that you would not only be restored to God, but that you would seek God’s help in seeing people restored to one another.  Pray about specific individuals and situations in which you need to be restored.

You can find the live video feeds of previous 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: Pray With Joy! (8/26/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Pray With Joy! (8/26/25)

This is the audio from the August 26, 2025 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.  The spirit is willing, but the body is weak” 
Matthew 26:41 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be about our need to pray!  If prayer is as central in our life as it ought to be then we ought to be talking with God and seeking His help in this area.  I suspect one of the big reasons we need to seek God’s help in our prayer life is the command to “devote yourselves to prayer”.  If God had said to simply pray when you feel like it or when it’s convenient, most of us could handle that.  But devoting ourselves to prayer is an entirely different task.  When we go to God about our prayer life, we open our self up to His instruction and guidance in the way we relate to Him.  Pray that you would understand your need for God’s  help in this part of your relationship with Him — as in all other parts.  Pray that you would be always watchful and thankful as you pray so that you would not fall into temptation.  Pray that  your relationship with God would grow as your practice of prayer grows.

“In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy.”
Philippians 1:4 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you examine just how devoted to prayer you are.  Ask God to fill you with joy about Him and about those you pray for.  Pray that your joy would be expressed, and even increased, because of the way you pray for all of those around you.  Pray that you would live in such a way that others would be filled with joy in their prayers for you.

You can find the live video feeds of previous 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: Pray Earnestly! (8/25/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Pray Earnestly! (8/25/25)

This is the audio from the August 25, 2025 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.  The spirit is willing, but the body is weak” 
Matthew 26:41 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be about our need to pray!  If prayer is as central in our life as it ought to be then we ought to be talking with God and seeking His help in this area.  I suspect one of the big reasons we need to seek God’s help in our prayer life is the command to “devote yourselves to prayer”.  If God had said to simply pray when you feel like it or when it’s convenient, most of us could handle that.  But devoting ourselves to prayer is an entirely different task.  When we go to God about our prayer life, we open our self up to His instruction and guidance in the way we relate to Him.  Pray that you would understand your need for God’s  help in this part of your relationship with Him — as in all other parts.  Pray that you would be always watchful and thankful as you pray so that you would not fall into temptation.  Pray that  your relationship with God would grow as your practice of prayer grows.

“So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.”
Acts 12:5 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you examine just how devoted to prayer you are.  Ask God to help you pray earnestly for those whose situations may seem hopeless.  Pray that you would be serious in the content of your prayers and in the expectation that God will act for the good of His children.  Ask God to help you always keep on praying without giving up.

You can find the live video feeds of previous 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 – The Need To PRAY! (Sermon Audio)
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Following Jesus – The Need To PRAY! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the August 24, 2025 sermon, “Following Jesus: The Need To Pray!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Matthew 26:36-56

 

“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.  The spirit is willing, but the body is weak” 
Matthew 26:41 (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 Jesus left the upper room with His disciples, they headed to the garden of Gethsemane where He taught them, and us, about the need to . . .

  • Pause:  Matthew 26:36-39

    • Our need to pray teaches us about the need to pause and be deliberate about our time with God. 

  • Resist:  Matthew 26:40-41

    • Our need to pray shows us a need to resist temptation by staying in communication with God.

  • Ask:  Matthew 26:42-46

    • Our need to pray contains in its nature a need to ask God, not to inform Him but to inform us about His nature and will.

  • Yield:  Matthew 26:47-56

    • Our need to pray should always lead us to our need to yield so that we willingly participate in God’s will being done.

Today, how will you PRAY?

Encouragement and Prayer: Share Sacrificially! (8/22/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Share Sacrificially! (8/22/25)

This is the audio from the August 22, 2025 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?” 
1 Corinthians 4:7 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus will be on God’s instruction that we share what we have been given.  Sharing is not usually an easy concept to do or to teach.  James says that it is our selfishness that often keeps us from receiving from God the things we ask for.  Many times we live by two standards.  One that sets forth what we believe God ought to share with us — everything.  And the other standard is what we feel we ought to share with others — only what we decide they deserve.  It is when we begin to see everything we have as gifts from God that we realize we are only being called to share His gifts.  My gifts and abilities are limited, so any gift that would originate with me has limits as well.  God, however, is not limited so His gifts are able to accomplish their purpose as He shares them with us and we share them with others.  Pray that your sharing would be done in ways that benefit the needs of others.

“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”
Hebrews 13:16 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you learn to share in the way He would desire.  Pray that you would always remember to do the good that God requires of you, especially when dong so costs you more than you really wanted to give.  Pray that your sharing with others would be offered to God as a pleasing sacrifice to Him.

You can find the live video feeds of previous 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