Sermons

Godly Vision – A Vision of HOPE! (Sermon Audio)
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Godly Vision – A Vision of HOPE! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the October 27, 2024 sermon, “A Vision of HOPE!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Zechariah 9

“But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more.  My mouth will tell of your righteousness, of your salvation all day long, though I know not its measure.”
Psalm 71:14-15 (NIV)

As God revealed Himself in Old Testament times to His chosen people, He often did so in visions seen by His prophets.  Zechariah was one of those prophets who was given a series of godly visions to share with God’s people of his time and with God’s people of today.  Today we continued a sermon series from the book of Zechariah as we consider how his godly vision should teach us now.  As we gaze into God’s Word, we find this Godly Vision looked forward to the coming of Jesus and the work He would accomplish through His life, death, burial, and resurrection.  As we return to God from wherever we are, we find He fills us with a vision of . . .

  • Hardship:  Zechariah 9:1-8

    • A vision begins at what my seem to be a strange place — a place of hardship.  Because trouble exists in the world, we can be certain we will face hardships of various kinds.  Yet, often without the hardships, we wouldn’t even consider our need for a hope that surpasses the best of what this world can offer.  It is in the hardships of life that we discover a God that never leaves nor forsakes us, a God who is dependable in all circumstances.  . 

  • Overcoming:  Zechariah 9:9-10

    • A vision of hope will include the ability to see how God has overcome, and how He will overcome.  When Jesus stated we would have trouble in this world, He went on to tell us to take heart because He has overcome the world.  It is in Jesus that we can overcome the hold of sin that kept us apart from God.  When the apostle Paul writes us being more than conquerors through Christ, he does so with an awareness that we can live with great hope because our failures need not define us.  

  • Promise:  Zechariah 9:11-13

    • A vision of hope includes not only a promise, but a relationship with the only One who is faithful in all of His promises.  We can live with hope in the midst of hardship, even as we struggle to overcome, because of God’s faithfulness to keep His promise that all who come to Him by faith He will not cast out.  While we benefit from the promise of God that Jesus would come and save His people from their sin, we also can cling to the promise of God that Jesus will one day return for those who are His.

  • Eternity:  Zechariah 9:14-17

    • A vision of hope is a vision of eternity as we place our hope in Jesus Christ.  This vision of eternity that is found in Christ helps us to understand that our current circumstances, good or bad, are not permanent but something better is coming.  It is in this steadfast hope that we can find the strength to endure all things for a little while because we will experience live with Christ forever.

 

Today, how will you experience HOPE?

Godly Vision – A Vision To BLESS! (Sermon Audio)
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Godly Vision – A Vision To BLESS! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the October 20, 2024 sermon, “A Vision To BLESS!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Zechariah 8

“As you have been an object of cursing among the nations, O Judah and Israel, so will I save you, and you will be a blessing. Do not be afraid, but let your hands be strong.” 
Zechariah 8:13 (NIV)

As God revealed Himself in Old Testament times to His chosen people, He often did so in visions seen by His prophets.  Zechariah was one of those prophets who was given a series of godly visions to share with God’s people of his time and with God’s people of today.  Today we continued a sermon series from the book of Zechariah as we consider how his godly vision should teach us now.  As we gaze into God’s Word, we find this Godly Vision looked forward to the coming of Jesus and the work He would accomplish through His life, death, burial, and resurrection.  As we return to God from wherever we are, we find He fills us with a vision to . . .

  • Believe:  Zechariah 8:1-6

    • A vision to bless calls for us to believe in people in the same manner in which God believes in us.  God calls us to Himself to be a blessing to the world not because He believes in our ability to do so, but because He believes in His ability to work through us.  When we believe in God’s ability to transform any person, we are better able to bless them. 

  • Love:  Zechariah 8:7-13

    • A vision to bless will result in a choice to love people with the same love which God has for us.  The love of God is poured out upon mankind in a manner which reflects His nature and His desire to bless us without regard to our worthiness.  It is our experience of God’s love which should lead us to bless others regardless of our view of their worthiness..  

  • Express:  Zechariah 8:14-17

    • A vision to bless will lead us to express God’s goodness to others.  When we believe in people and love people the way God believes in us and loves us, we find appropriate ways to express that belief and love.  There is something special and significant about an expressed blessing that lifts a person beyond themselves as they begin to see the potential which God has put in their life.  It is God’s expression of His love for us which ought to lead us expressing a blessing upon others.

  • Serve:  Zechariah 8:18-19

    • A vision to bless will result in a greater desire to serve God in the way we serve others.  Jesus made it clear through His words and His example that we rise to greatness when we choose to serve others.  In fact, Jesus says that the way we serve “the least of these, my brethren” is the way we serve Him.  While we may be tempted to “bless” others in the way we would want to be blessed, God gives us a vision to bless others as we serve them according to their need.

  • Sacrifice:  Zechariah 8:20-23

    • A vision to bless will be a costly decision of sacrifice, but one which is worth all that you might be asked to pay.  As we take on the nature of Jesus, we must consider the needs of others to be more important to us than our own.  As God’s children, we are called to be a blessing to the world and we do so when we are willing to sacrifice our own wants, desires, and even needs in order to see others blessed by God through us.

Today, how will you choose to BLESS?

Godly Vision – A Vision of TRUTH! (Sermon Audio)
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Godly Vision – A Vision of TRUTH! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the October 13, 2024 sermon, “A Vision of TRUTH!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Zechariah 7

“Jesus answered, ‘You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.’”  
John 18:37 (NIV)

As God revealed Himself in Old Testament times to His chosen people, He often did so in visions seen by His prophets.  Zechariah was one of those prophets who was given a series of godly visions to share with God’s people of his time and with God’s people of today.  Today we continued a sermon series from the book of Zechariah as we consider how his godly vision should teach us now.  As we gaze into God’s Word, we find this Godly Vision looked forward to the coming of Jesus and the work He would accomplish through His life, death, burial, and resurrection.  As we return to God from wherever we are, we find He fills us with a vision of . . .

  • Tradition:  Zechariah 7:1-3

    • A vision of truth will cause us to look at the traditions we hold on to.  Traditions can easily become either the holy grail which can’t be messed with or the scapegoat which ought to be removed at all cost.  While either of those extremes would be somewhat easy to identify and deal with, the truth of of traditions is generally a more complicated issue.  God’s desire is that we hold fast to the traditions of truth which are foundational in His Word while letting go of the traditions of our own which keep us from knowing real truth. 

  • Reality:  Zechariah 7:4-7

    • A vision of truth will lead us to look at the reality of our motives in responding to God’s Word.  When we continue to do something good when the motivation is all about pleasing our self, the result will be an unnatural and unexpected distance from God.  God always knows not just the reality of our actions, He knows the reality of why we do what we do and if it is to honor Him or self.  

  • Understanding:  Zechariah 7:8-10

    • A vision of truth will result in our seeking an understanding from God in regard to both the traditions we follow and the reality of why we observe them.  The truth of God’s Word always reveals the application of how we ought to treat others, especially those who are underserved, ignored, or abused.  God’s truth is for everyone and it is our responsibility as God’s children to have an understanding and practice which shares the good news of Jesus with all people.

  • Trouble:  Zechariah 7:11-12

    • A vision of truth will make known to us, and to those around us, that there will always be trouble present in this world.  When we are truthful with ourselves and with others, we communicate the trouble we have caused as well as the trouble we have experienced beyond our control.  While Jesus clearly teaches that trouble will be present in this world, there is  a greater trouble we must be aware of, and that is the trouble when we reject God and find ourselves on the receiving end of His wrath.  This trouble which will come upon all those who reject Jesus can be avoided as we surrender to Him and find ourselves welcomed into His kingdom on the day of judgment.

  • Hearing:  Zechariah 7:13-14

    • A vision of truth comes from a willingness and desire to hear the Word of God in a way that leads us to action.  The Bible makes it clear that “without faith it is impossible to please God.”  The good news is the Bible also states that “faith come by hearing and hearing comes through the Word of God.”  While the people of God refused to listen to Him and thus found themselves unheard when they cried out to God, we can learn from their error and choose to listen to God’s Word in a way which produces action in our life.

Today, how will you respond to TRUTH?

Godly Vision – A Vision of PEACE! (Sermon Audio)
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Godly Vision – A Vision of PEACE! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the October 6, 2024 sermon, “A Vision To Be SERVE!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Zechariah 6

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
John 14:27 (NIV)

As God revealed Himself in Old Testament times to His chosen people, He often did so in visions seen by His prophets.  Zechariah was one of those prophets who was given a series of godly visions to share with God’s people of his time and with God’s people of today.  Today we continued a sermon series from the book of Zechariah as we consider how his godly vision should teach us now.  As we gaze into God’s Word, we find this Godly Vision looked forward to the coming of Jesus and the work He would accomplish through His life, death, burial, and resurrection.  As we return to God from wherever we are, we find He fills us with a vision of . . .

  • Power:  Zechariah 6:1-3

    • A vision of peace will come from the One who has the power to bring everlasting peace.  As God sends out His Spirit, He does so with power.  Many of our efforts of temporary peace fall short simply because we don’t have the power to establish the peace we desire.  God’s power is almighty and through the power of the blood of Jesus, He has established a way for peace to exist between us and Him.

  • Everywhere:  Zechariah 6:4-7

    • A vision of peace which comes from God will go out everywhere that mankind exists.  There is not a place we can hide, nor a place which would go unnoticed, from God’s desire that people everywhere would be at peace.  Our geographical and political borders mean nothing to the peace God wants to bring to all who would call upon the name of Jesus.  

  • Authority:  Zechariah 6:8-10

    • A vision of peace will arrive with a declaration of authority of the One making peace possible.  Often our efforts of peace fail in this world because we lack authority over the ones needing peace.  Because God’s authority is supreme, He not only sets the terms of peace, He also makes those terms attainable through the blood of Jesus.

  • Christ:  Zechariah 6:11-13

    • A vision of peace will ultimately be a vision of Christ because it is only through Him that true peace is possible.  The Branch which has grown from the root of Jesse as a descendant of David, actually preceded David as the source of all things.  It is out of this Branch, which is Christ, that the kingdom of God grows and the people of His church become His dwelling.

  • Everyone:  Zechariah 6:14-15

    • A vision of peace must extend to everyone if it is to be a godly vision of peace.  People came from far away to rebuild the temple, and people come from even greater distances to become the new temple . . . the dwelling place of God within His people.  When God says that whosoever will may come, as peacemakers on behalf of Jesus we must include all people in God’s invitation to be at peace with Him.

Today, how will you experience PEACE?

Godly Vision – A Vision To SERVE! (Sermon Audio)
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Godly Vision – A Vision To SERVE! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the September 22, 2024 sermon, “A Vision To Be SERVE!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Zechariah 4

“Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest.  Jesus said to them, ‘The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors.  But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.'”
Luke 22:24-26 (NIV)

As God revealed Himself in Old Testament times to His chosen people, He often did so in visions seen by His prophets.  Zechariah was one of those prophets who was given a series of godly visions to share with God’s people of his time and with God’s people of today.  Today we continued a sermon series from the book of Zechariah as we consider how his godly vision should teach us now.  As we gaze into God’s Word, we find this Godly Vision looked forward to the coming of Jesus and the work He would accomplish through His life, death, burial, and resurrection.  As we return to God from wherever we are, we find He fills us with a vision to . . .

  • See:  Zechariah 4:1-3

    • A vision to be serve requires a willingness to see.  We must open our eyes to see our own need, the needs of others, our own abilities, and the ability of God to work in us and through us.  When we see the need, we can choose to serve.

  • Explain:  Zechariah 4:4-6

    • A vision to serve will often need someone to explain the very things we see.  We turn to God’s Word for the explanation of how the works of service can be accomplished.  We find wisdom from His Spirit in being able to explain to others about a God who calls all people to serve Him.  

  • Rebuild:  Zechariah 4:7-10

    • A vision to serve will call for us to be rebuilt into the image of God.  We started there, God created mankind in His image, but we have reaped the destructive nature of sin such that serving does not often feel natural.  When God chooses to have His temple rebuilt by His Spirit, it is you and I who are being rebuilt into the very dwelling of God.

  • Verify:  Zechariah 4:11-12

    • A vision to serve will lead us to a need to verify God’s directives and our own desires . . . and to be clear on which is which.  When we face times of uncertainty, God desires to bring clarity as we draw near to Him.  As we gaze into God’s Word and we consider His work in our life, we are able to verify His goodness, mercy, and love is not just for us, but for all mankind.

  • Exalt:  Zechariah 4:13-14

    • A vision to serve will always lead us to exalting Jesus if that vision is a godly vision.  With Jesus as the vine, all people are called to be one of the branches which are anointed to serve the Lord.  It is in the ways we serve others that we best honor the name and character of Jesus.

Today, how will you SERVE?

Godly Vision – Vision To Be CLEAN! (Sermon Audio)
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Godly Vision – Vision To Be CLEAN! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the September 15, 2024 sermon, “Vision To Be CLEAN!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Zechariah 3

“The angel said to those who were standing before him, ‘Take off his filthy clothes.’  Then he said to Joshua, ‘See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put rich garments on you.’”
Zechariah 3:4 (NIV)

As God revealed Himself in Old Testament times to His chosen people, He often did so in visions seen by His prophets.  Zechariah was one of those prophets who was given a series of godly visions to share with God’s people of his time and with God’s people of today.  Today we continued a sermon series from the book of Zechariah as we consider how his godly vision should teach us now.  As we gaze into God’s Word, we find this Godly Vision looked forward to the coming of Jesus and the work He would accomplish through His life, death, burial, and resurrection.  As we return to God from wherever we are, we find both a vision and a way for us to be . . .

  • Changed:  Zechariah 3:1-2

    • A vision to be clean begins with a recognition that we are dirty and need to be changed . . . and that God has the ability and desire to change us.

  • Loved:  Zechariah 3:3-5

    • A vision to be clean calls us to see that we are loved beyond measure.  

  • Encouraged:  Zechariah 3:6-7

    • A vision to to be clean includes an element of encouragement which reminds us that encouraged people encourage people.

  • Absolved:  Zechariah 3:8-9

    • A vision to be clean contains a proclamation that we have been absolved from the guilt of our sin.

  • Neighbors:  Zechariah 3:10

    • A vision to to be clean demands that we are neighbors to all people.

Today, how will you be CLEAN?

Godly Vision – Vision To GROW! (Sermon Audio)
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Godly Vision – Vision To GROW! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the September 8, 2024 sermon, “Vision To GROW!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Zechariah 2

“Many nations will be joined with the LORD in that day and will become my people. I will live among you and you will know that the LORD Almighty has sent me to you.”
Zechariah 2:11 (NIV)

As God revealed Himself in Old Testament times to His chosen people, He often did so in visions seen by His prophets.  Zechariah was one of those prophets who was given a series of godly visions to share with God’s people of his time and with God’s people of today.  Today we begin a sermon series from the book of Zechariah as we consider how his godly vision should teach us now.  As we gaze into God’s Word, we find this Godly Vision extended beyond the physical realm of Jerusalem as God was adding to His kingdom a citizenry from all nations.  When we attempt to define the boundaries of God’s kingdom, He reveals to us a vision to . . .

  • Go:  Zechariah 2:1-2

    • A vision to grow involves the need to recognize we are representatives of Jesus everywhere we go.  We may go places with our own agenda and ideas of what we are doing, but God desires to use us in ways that are bigger than we often imagine.  When we acknowledge Jesus as being in charge of everything, including us, we are filled with a vision to go simply because He says so.

  • Report:  Zechariah 2:3-5

    • A vision to grow will call for us to report all that we have seen Jesus do in our life.  When we live as one responding to the good news of Jesus, we grow in faith and we grow the kingdom when we tell others our story of encountering the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.  It is in this report that we begin to realize the kingdom of God cannot be confined in ways that physical kingdoms are.  

  • Observe:  Zechariah 2:6-9

    • A vision to grow means that we will observe the things of God in ways that not only notice God’s commands, but we keep them.  Part of our responsibility as God’s child is to teach others to observe everything commanded by Jesus.  It is through our life of giving value to all of God’s Word by our obedience to it, we help others grow through our teaching and example.

  • Worship:  Zechariah 2:10-13

    • A vision to grow will lead us to a greater expression of worship as we realize it is God who is bringing about the growth.  Our response to going everywhere with the good news of Jesus not only leads us to a greater obedience, it leads us to worshiping God with the whole heart He desires for us to have.

Today, how will you GROW?

Godly Vision – A Welcome HOME! (Sermon Audio)
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Godly Vision – A Welcome HOME! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the September 1, 2024 sermon, “Vision To Return: A Welcome HOME!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Zechariah 1

“This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Return to me,’ declares the LORD Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the LORD Almighty.”
Zechariah 1:3 (NIV)

As God revealed Himself in Old Testament times to His chosen people, He often did so in visions seen by His prophets.  Zechariah was one of those prophets who was given a series of godly visions to share with God’s people of his time and with God’s people of today.  Today we begin a sermon series from the book of Zechariah as we consider how his godly vision should teach us now.  As we gaze into God’s Word, we find this Godly Vision began with A Vision of Return!  As we return to God from wherever we are, we find A Welcome . . .

  • Humility:  Zechariah 1:1-3

    • A vision of return begins with a welcome humility which acknowledges the Lord Almighty.  Three times in one short verse we find God referred to as the Lord Almighty.  I believe that should get our attention about who we are compared to who God is.  It is when we come home with humility that we find ourselves prepared to not only be humble before God, but to be humble in our dealings with others as we share God’s invitation to return home.

  • Obedience:  Zechariah 1:4-6

    • A vision of return also leads us to an obedience to the One in charge.  Humbling ourselves before the Lord Almighty, by nature should indicate our willingness to obey.  But this isn’t an obedience born out of compulsion, rather it is a welcome obedience as our way of expressing the love and honor due to the One who has called us to return home.  It is in this obedience that we share with others God’s desire that they also return and find a welcome home.  

  • Mercy:  Zechariah 1:12-16

    • A vision of return will lead us to find a very needed mercy.  God’s Word makes it clear that our rebellion against Him has earned us a penalty of death.  There is no amount of goodness on our part which can overcome the debt we have accumulated.  In fact, even the invitation to return to God is offered out of God’s immense mercy toward us.  But it’s not just us that God is merciful towards.  He says His mercy endures forever and extends to all who will call upon the name of the Lord.  The message of return ought to not just be experienced, it ought to be shared with others as we extend the same mercy which we ourselves need from God.

  • Encouragement:  Zechariah 1:17

    • A vision of return will lead to a welcome encouragement.  It ought to encourage us beyond measure to know that we who were not a people of God are now God’s children.  No matter how much, or how little, we believe we have strayed from God, the Bible says we all like sheep have gone astray.  We are encouraged with the knowledge that God has seen us at our worst and still loves us and wants us.  We encourage others to return home when we choose to live with the same humility, obedience, mercy, and encouragement toward them that we ourselves need from God.

Today, how will you pursue a return of HOME?