Knowing the BASICS – Knowing the Submission: Learning To SERVE! (Sermon Audio)
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Knowing the BASICS – Knowing the Submission: Learning To SERVE! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the October 12, 2025 sermon, “Knowing the Submission: Learning To SERVE!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Hebrews 5:7-10, John 13:1-17

 

“During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.”
Hebrews 5:7 (NIV)

Today we continued a sermon series about Knowing the BASICS!  This will be a six-part series looking at the basics of what we believe as the Deer Run Church of Christ, which corresponds with what I believe as a preacher of the Gospel of Jesus.  Foundational to our beliefs about God is a belief that the Bible is the true and accurate Word of God filled with the content He desires for us to know and follow.  Because the Bible is God’s Word, we believe and know God to be the authority over all things.  With God as the authority, we find through Jesus the example of knowing the submission we ought to live with.  It is in our submissiveness to God that we learn to . . .

  • Submit:  John 13:1-5, Ephesians 5:21

    • Submitting and serving are really two practices which cannot be separated from one another and remain effective.  We must submit in order to serve effectively and we will serve when we choose to submit.  As Jesus gathered with His disciples for a Passover meal, which would be His final one during His time on earth, He was able to serve them by submitting both to His Father and to their needs.  We live with a submissive spirit which serves others when we learn to submit to their needs being more important than our own. 

  • Encourage:  John 13:6-10, 1 Thessalonians 5:11

    • The very nature of Jesus serving His disciples during this Last Supper gathering was to encourage them for what He knew was coming.  Whether in the conversation with Peter about just needing to wash his feet because he was already clean, or the conversation with Philip in chapter 14 which I inadvertently used during the sermon instead of chapter 13, Jesus sought to encourage the disciples by assuring them they knew more than they gave themselves credit for.  We live with a submissive spirit which serves others when we find ways to encourage.

  • Restore: John 13:11-14, Galatians 6:1

    • Because Jesus knew who He was and where He was going, He gathered with His disciples to prepare them to be restored after they would abandon Jesus out of fear.  It is important to always remember that the teaching and practice of Jesus wasn’t only for the benefit of those who were physically present.  We ought to find comfort and encouragement in knowing that we too can be restored when we wander from the truth and deny Jesus with our words and/or our actions.  We live with a submissive spirit which serves others when we choose to be involved in restoring those who fall.

  • Value:  John 13:15-16, Philippians 2:3

    • After washing the feet of the disciples, including Judas, Jesus teaches the important lesson of giving value to others.  While Peter appears to be somewhat embarrassed that Jesus would be washing his feet, the very act of doing so communicates to all of the disciples that they were greatly valued by the One who was in fact their Lord and Teacher.  We live with a submissive spirit which serves others when we give value to people simply because they are created in the image of God.

  • Enlist:  John 13:17, Acts 16:9

    • As Jesus submitted to the needs of His disciples and served them according to their need, He made it clear that this wasn’t just a story about His own goodness but rather it was an example they were to follow.  He was not simply serving their need, He was enlisting them into a lifetime of serving others.  We live with a submissive spirit which serves others when we learn to enlist others to both help us when we can’t serve alone and to serve others at every opportunity they have.

Today, how will a commitment to godly submission help you learn to SERVE?

Encouragement and Prayer: Authority To Judge! (10/10/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Authority To Judge! (10/10/25)

This is the audio from the October 10, 2025 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.”
Daniel 7:14 (NIV)

Who’s in charge?  How much authority has Jesus been given by His Father?  What do you and I do about the authority of Jesus?  How does it apply to us?  This week  in our Lifestyle of Prayer emphasis we will look at some scriptures about the authority of Jesus.  Pray that your obedience would grow in a way that represents Jesus well to all you meet.  Pray for a greater understanding of the eternal nature of God’s authority and how that authority has been revealed in Jesus.  Pray that your understanding of God’s authority would shape whatever roles of authority you might have.  Pray for discernment and wisdom to see beyond and through the divisiveness of this world so that you would love others as God loves both you and them.

“And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man.”
John 5:27 (NIV)

As  you pray this week, ask God to help you be submissive to the authority of Christ in all things.  Pray that you would have no reason to fear the authority of Jesus to judge.  Pray that you would leave the eternal judgment of people to the One who has the authority to do so.  Pray that the people around you would understand His authority to judge all things.

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: Authority Over Evil! (10/9/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Authority Over Evil! (10/9/25)

This is the audio from the October 9, 2025 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.”
Daniel 7:14 (NIV)

Who’s in charge?  How much authority has Jesus been given by His Father?  What do you and I do about the authority of Jesus?  How does it apply to us?  This week  in our Lifestyle of Prayer emphasis we will look at some scriptures about the authority of Jesus.  Pray that your obedience would grow in a way that represents Jesus well to all you meet.  Pray for a greater understanding of the eternal nature of God’s authority and how that authority has been revealed in Jesus.  Pray that your understanding of God’s authority would shape whatever roles of authority you might have.  Pray for discernment and wisdom to see beyond and through the divisiveness of this world so that you would love others as God loves both you and them.

“All the people were amazed and said to each other, ‘What is this teaching? With authority and power he gives orders to evil spirits and they come out!’”
Luke 4:36 (NIV)

As  you pray this week, ask God to help you be submissive to the authority of Christ in all things.  Pray that you would look to Jesus as the One with authority over evil spirits and over the attacks of Satan in your life and in the lives of others.  Pray that you would submit to the authority of Jesus in a way that leaves no room for evil of any kind.

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: Authority To Forgive Sins! (10/8/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Authority To Forgive Sins! (10/8/25)

This is the audio from the October 8, 2025 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.”
Daniel 7:14 (NIV)

Who’s in charge?  How much authority has Jesus been given by His Father?  What do you and I do about the authority of Jesus?  How does it apply to us?  This week  in our Lifestyle of Prayer emphasis we will look at some scriptures about the authority of Jesus.  Pray that your obedience would grow in a way that represents Jesus well to all you meet.  Pray for a greater understanding of the eternal nature of God’s authority and how that authority has been revealed in Jesus.  Pray that your understanding of God’s authority would shape whatever roles of authority you might have.  Pray for discernment and wisdom to see beyond and through the divisiveness of this world so that you would love others as God loves both you and them.

“But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins….”
Mark 2:10 (NIV)

As  you pray this week, ask God to help you be submissive to the authority of Christ in all things.  Pray that you would live with confidence because of the authority of Jesus to forgive sins.  Pray for a willingness to identify your own sins in order to submit them to the authority of Jesus.  Pray that you would help others to know the authority of Jesus over sin.

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: Authority In Teaching! (10/7/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Authority In Teaching! (10/7/25)

This is the audio from the October 7, 2025 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.”
Daniel 7:14 (NIV)

Who’s in charge?  How much authority has Jesus been given by His Father?  What do you and I do about the authority of Jesus?  How does it apply to us?  This week  in our Lifestyle of Prayer emphasis we will look at some scriptures about the authority of Jesus.  Pray that your obedience would grow in a way that represents Jesus well to all you meet.  Pray for a greater understanding of the eternal nature of God’s authority and how that authority has been revealed in Jesus.  Pray that your understanding of God’s authority would shape whatever roles of authority you might have.  Pray for discernment and wisdom to see beyond and through the divisiveness of this world so that you would love others as God loves both you and them.

“The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.” 
Mark 1:22 (NIV)

As  you pray this week, ask God to help you be submissive to the authority of Christ in all things.  Pray that you would accept the teachings of Jesus as having authority in your life.  Pray that you would let God’s authority be present when you share scripture.  Pray that you would greatly value the teachings of Jesus as you recognize the authority in them.

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: All Authority In Heaven and On Earth! (10/6/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: All Authority In Heaven and On Earth! (10/6/25)

This is the audio from the October 6, 2025 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.”
Daniel 7:14 (NIV)

Who’s in charge?  How much authority has Jesus been given by His Father?  What do you and I do about the authority of Jesus?  How does it apply to us?  This week  in our Lifestyle of Prayer emphasis we will look at some scriptures about the authority of Jesus.  Pray that your obedience would grow in a way that represents Jesus well to all you meet.  Pray for a greater understanding of the eternal nature of God’s authority and how that authority has been revealed in Jesus.  Pray that your understanding of God’s authority would shape whatever roles of authority you might have.  Pray for discernment and wisdom to see beyond and through the divisiveness of this world so that you would love others as God loves both you and them.

“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.’”
Matthew 28:18 (NIV)

As  you pray this week, ask God to help you be submissive to the authority of Christ in all things.  Pray that you would open every aspect of your life to the authority of Jesus.  Pray that your life would be lived under the authority of Jesus.  Pray for a submissive spirit that finds contentment and joy in your obedience to Christ.

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

Knowing the BASICS – Knowing the Authority: GOD! (Sermon Audio)
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Knowing the BASICS – Knowing the Authority: GOD! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the October 5, 2025 sermon, “Knowing the Authority: GOD!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Daniel 7:13-14

 

“In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence.  He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.” 
Daniel 7:13-14 (NIV)

Today we continued a sermon series about Knowing the BASICS!  This will be a six-part series looking at the basics of what we believe as the Deer Run Church of Christ, which corresponds with what I believe as a preacher of the Gospel of Jesus.  Foundational to our beliefs about God is a belief that the Bible is the true and accurate Word of God filled with the content He desires for us to know and follow.  As we build on the BASICS of knowing the Bible as God’s Word, we find within it the authority which is . . .

  • Given:  Matthew 9:5-8

    • All authority which exists comes from God as the creator and originator of all things.  When Jesus emptied Himself and took on human flesh, He lived as one with authority given to Him by His Father.  While we may have roles here on earth where others people look to us as an authority figure for one reason or another, the real basis for even that level of authority is that which is given by God.  The Bible makes it clear that regardless of the manner in which they might be selected or rise to power, even our political authorities only operate under an authority which has been given.  When we choose to live as one who knows the true authority of all things is God, we must learn to respect the other levels of authority He has given. 

  • Obeyed:  Matthew 8:8-18, John 14:31

    • Our words stating a recognition of someone’s authority only carry weight according to our obedience to that authority.  Even with all authority given to Jesus by His Father, He makes it clear that He does nothing of His own which would be outside of His Father’s will.  Jesus asks the question of His followers as to why they would call Him Lord and not do what He says.  It is in our obedience that we proclaim to all who are watching us that we truly believe God has authority in our life.  When we choose to live as one who knows the true authority of all things is God, we must constantly make the choice to obey what He says.

  • Designed:  Matthew 20:25-28

    • Part of our struggle with authority is that we have a very humanistic and worldly view of what authority looks like.  The disciples also struggled with the design of godly authority as they wanted to establish a “pecking order” based on the world’s standards of who ought to be in charge.  God turns our thinking upside down as He declares we ought to use any positions of authority we might attain in ways which are different from how the world uses authority.  Jesus set this example by being the One with ultimate authority who chose to serve rather than be served.  When we choose to live as one who knows the authority of all things is God, we learn that God has designed those with increasing authority to be those who increasingly serve others.

 

Today, how will you live as one who knows the authority which is GOD?

Encouragement and Prayer: Useful For Training! (10/3/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Useful For Training! (10/3/25)

This is the audio from the October 3, 2025 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus is about knowing, and using, the Bible as the Word of God.  In Paul’s second letter to Timothy, we have a list of some of the things that God says Scripture is useful for if we were to make use of it and apply it to everything we do.  Sadly, many have come to view Scripture as more inspirational than transformational.  In reality, it is only truly inspirational if it inspires us to draw near to God and be transformed.  Pray that God would help you accurately evaluate how much time you spend reading, studying, and meditating on the Word of God so that you would know how to Grow in His Word.  Pray that your love for God’s Word would grow as your understanding of its usefulness grows.  Pray that the usefulness of  God’s Word in your life would cause you to share it at every opportunity.

“Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.”
1 Timothy 4:7 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you know the Bible as His Word.  Pray that you would reject the myths of the world and seek to be trained by God’s Word.  Pray that your desire to be godly would lead you to God’s Word as your training manual.  Pray that you would cling to God’s Word as the true source of training in godliness.

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