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

Encouragement and Prayer: Share Generously! (8/21/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Share Generously! (8/21/25)

This is the audio from the August 21, 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.

“Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.”
1 Timothy 6:18 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you learn to share in the way He would desire.  Pray that you would learn to give generously, not just with things and money, but with your time and good deeds.  Pray that God would fill you with a willingness to share in a way that expresses God’s generosity to 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: Share the Gospel! (8/20/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Share the Gospel! (8/20/25)

This is the audio from the August 20, 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.

“We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.”
1 Thessalonians 2:8 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you learn to share in the way He would desire.  Pray that God would fill you with a love for people that makes it a delight to share the gospel with them.  Pray that the way you live your life would complement your sharing of the gospel.

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: Share What You Have! (8/19/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Share What You Have! (8/19/25)

This is the audio from the August 19, 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.

“John answered, ‘The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same.’”
Luke 3:11 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you learn to share in the way He would desire.  Pray that you would be able to clearly see from God’s perspective what you have so that you would know what you can share.  Pray for a willingness to share the things you have which exceed what others have.  that He wants you to share.

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: Share With Those In Need! (8/18/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Share With Those In Need! (8/18/25)

This is the audio from the August 18, 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.

“Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”
Romans 12:13 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you learn to share in the way He would desire.  Pray for wisdom in knowing how God would have you share with those in need.  Pray that you would use the things God has given you in a way that benefits others.  Pray that God would help you learn and practice hospitality as a means of sharing with others.

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 – A Shared MEAL! (Sermon Audio)
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Following Jesus – A Shared MEAL! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the August 17, 2025 sermon, “Following Jesus: A Shared Meal!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Matthew 26:17-35

 

“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)

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, He taught His disciples with a shared . . .

  • Memory:  Matthew 26:17-19

    • Our shared meal with one another, and with Jesus, carries meaning as we share the memory of who Jesus is and what He has done. 

  • Examination:  Matthew 26:20-25

    • Our shared meal with one another, and with Jesus, calls for us to share in the examination of ourselves to see our need for Jesus and for one another.

  • Action:  Matthew 26:26-30

    • Our shared meal with one another, and with Jesus, involves a share action in which each person does the part created for them by God.

  • Loss:  Matthew 26:31-35

    • Our shared meal with one another, and with Jesus, leads us to a shared loss as we learn to deny ourselves daily and take up our cross to follow Jesus.

Today, how will you share in this MEAL?

Encouragement and Prayer: Promised Deliverance! (8/15/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Promised Deliverance! (8/15/25)

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

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“When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples,  ‘As you know, the Passover is two days away — and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.’”
Matthew 26:1-2 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on some of the promises of God.  As Jesus lived on earth, the religious leaders would plot against Him, somehow thinking they could get the upper hand, not realizing that their plans were not a secret to Jesus.  He not only knew the plotting that was being done, He knew how those plots would fulfill His promises.  When God promises comfort, how often do we want it to mean we would never experience a pain that would require His comfort?  Even if we understand the nature of the promise accurately, we often expect the promise to be fulfilled in keeping with our timetable rather than God’s.  Pray that you would hold fast to His promises, especially when it takes longer for them to be fulfilled than what you would like.  Pray for the heart, mind, and eyes to see how God has not only extended His promises to you, but calls you to share in extending His promises to others.

“May my supplication come before you; deliver me according to your promise.”
Psalm 119:170 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you grow in your understanding of His “great and precious” promises.  Pray that you would always turn to God as the one who can meet your needs “according to His riches in glory.”  Pray that you would fully consider how God has delivered you as you share His promises of deliverance to the people around 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