Following Jesus – Go In FAITH! (Sermon Audio)
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Following Jesus – Go In FAITH! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the September 14, 2025 sermon, “Following Jesus: Go In Faith!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Matthew 28:16-20

 

“Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.  When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.  Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’” 
Matthew 28:16-20 (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.  Matthew finishes his record of the good news of Jesus with what we often call the “Great Commission” where Jesus gives instructions for all of us to go in . . .

  • Fellowship:  Matthew 28:16-17

    • As Jesus prepares to give instructions to His disciples following His death, burial, and resurrection, they gather in fellowship with one another.  Even while there were elements of doubt present, Jesus prepared them to go in fellowship with Him and with one another. 

  • Authority:  Matthew 28:18

    • While doubt may have existed among the disciples about themselves, and even about the resurrection of Jesus, there was to be no doubt left about who was in charge.  When Jesus comes to them after His resurrection, He makes it clear that they were to go in authority because of who was sending them.

  • Involvement:  Matthew 28:19

    • As I stated in the sermon, sometimes we like to think Jesus said to go and invite people to church so the preacher can baptize them.  In reality, Jesus gave the instructions to His disciples and to all of us who hear His words that we are to be involved in both being a disciple and making disciples.

  • Teaching:  Matthew 28:20a

    • Just as our involvement in being baptized and in baptizing others who come to Jesus in repentance is important, it is also commanded by Jesus that we teach and are taught as we go.  The things we learn and put into practice from God’s Word are to be shared with others so that they too would learn and put such things into practice.

  • Help:  Matthew 28:20b

    • Going in Fellowship, Authority, Involvement, and Teaching may sound like a daunting task if we try to do any of that on our own.  The good news is that we also go in Help because we have the presence of God with us through His Spirit so that we are never alone.

Today, how will you go in FAITH?

Encouragement and Prayer: Die To Sin! (9/12/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Die To Sin! (9/12/25)

This is the audio from the September 12, 2025 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“But Peter declared, ‘Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.’  And all the other disciples said the same.” 
Matthew 26:35 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be about our need to die to self so that we may live for Christ even as He lives in us.  Over the few years Jesus spent with His disciples, He began to slowly reveal His purpose in coming to earth was to die so that they might live.  Just as His death, burial, and resurrection brought life, it is our dying to self so that Christ can live in us which brings us life.  Pray that you would not cling to the things of this world which result in eternal death, but rather seek first the things of God’s kingdom which bring eternal life.  Pray that your commitment to dying with Christ would be so steadfast that nothing would move you from it.  Pray that you would always keep your eyes on Jesus as you trust His promise that all who are buried with Him will surely rise with Him.  Pray for the courage to truly live for Christ as you daily choose to die to self.

“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness.”
1 Peter 2:24 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you know the things you must die to in order to experience the fullness of life which is only found in Christ.  Pray that you would consider yourself to be dead to sin so that you would choose righteousness in all things.  Pray with thankfulness for the work Jesus did on the cross which allows your sin to be put to death.  Pray that you would live as one set free from 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: Die To This World! (9/11/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Die To This World! (9/11/25)

This is the audio from the September 11, 2025 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“But Peter declared, ‘Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.’  And all the other disciples said the same.” 
Matthew 26:35 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be about our need to die to self so that we may live for Christ even as He lives in us.  Over the few years Jesus spent with His disciples, He began to slowly reveal His purpose in coming to earth was to die so that they might live.  Just as His death, burial, and resurrection brought life, it is our dying to self so that Christ can live in us which brings us life.  Pray that you would not cling to the things of this world which result in eternal death, but rather seek first the things of God’s kingdom which bring eternal life.  Pray that your commitment to dying with Christ would be so steadfast that nothing would move you from it.  Pray that you would always keep your eyes on Jesus as you trust His promise that all who are buried with Him will surely rise with Him.  Pray for the courage to truly live for Christ as you daily choose to die to self.

“Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules?”
Colossians 2:20 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you know the things you must die to in order to experience the fullness of life which is only found in Christ.  Pray that your decision to be joined with Christ in His death would remind you that you no longer belong to this world.  Pray about how God would have you daily choose His ways rather than following the ways of this world.

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: Die To Gain! (9/10/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Die To Gain! (9/10/25)

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

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“But Peter declared, ‘Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.’  And all the other disciples said the same.” 
Matthew 26:35 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be about our need to die to self so that we may live for Christ even as He lives in us.  Over the few years Jesus spent with His disciples, He began to slowly reveal His purpose in coming to earth was to die so that they might live.  Just as His death, burial, and resurrection brought life, it is our dying to self so that Christ can live in us which brings us life.  Pray that you would not cling to the things of this world which result in eternal death, but rather seek first the things of God’s kingdom which bring eternal life.  Pray that your commitment to dying with Christ would be so steadfast that nothing would move you from it.  Pray that you would always keep your eyes on Jesus as you trust His promise that all who are buried with Him will surely rise with Him.  Pray for the courage to truly live for Christ as you daily choose to die to self.

  • “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
    Philippians 1:21 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you know the things you must die to in order to experience the fullness of life which is only found in Christ.  Pray that you would make a deliberate choice to live for Christ in such a way that He is what your life is all about.  Pray that your life in Christ would reveal to you just how much you have gained by dying to self.  Pray that you would not fear physical death at its proper time as you understand the eternal gain.

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: Die Daily! (9/9/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Die Daily! (9/9/25)

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

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“But Peter declared, ‘Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.’  And all the other disciples said the same.” 
Matthew 26:35 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be about our need to die to self so that we may live for Christ even as He lives in us.  Over the few years Jesus spent with His disciples, He began to slowly reveal His purpose in coming to earth was to die so that they might live.  Just as His death, burial, and resurrection brought life, it is our dying to self so that Christ can live in us which brings us life.  Pray that you would not cling to the things of this world which result in eternal death, but rather seek first the things of God’s kingdom which bring eternal life.  Pray that your commitment to dying with Christ would be so steadfast that nothing would move you from it.  Pray that you would always keep your eyes on Jesus as you trust His promise that all who are buried with Him will surely rise with Him.  Pray for the courage to truly live for Christ as you daily choose to die to self.

“I die every day — I mean that, brothers — just as surely as I glory over you in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
1 Corinthians 15:31 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you know the things you must die to in order to experience the fullness of life which is only found in Christ.  Pray that you would choose each day to die to self in a way which serves others and glorifies Jesus.  Pray that your concern for others would be evident in the way you choose to sacrifice your own desires because of your love for 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: Die To Live! (9/8/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Die To Live! (9/8/25)

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

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“But Peter declared, ‘Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.’  And all the other disciples said the same.” 
Matthew 26:35 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be about our need to die to self so that we may live for Christ even as He lives in us.  Over the few years Jesus spent with His disciples, He began to slowly reveal His purpose in coming to earth was to die so that they might live.  Just as His death, burial, and resurrection brought life, it is our dying to self so that Christ can live in us which brings us life.  Pray that you would not cling to the things of this world which result in eternal death, but rather seek first the things of God’s kingdom which bring eternal life.  Pray that your commitment to dying with Christ would be so steadfast that nothing would move you from it.  Pray that you would always keep your eyes on Jesus as you trust His promise that all who are buried with Him will surely rise with Him.  Pray for the courage to truly live for Christ as you daily choose to die to self.

“Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.”
Romans 6:8 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you know the things you must die to in order to experience the fullness of life which is only found in Christ.  Pray that you would understand the importance of taking up your cross daily and choosing to die with Christ.  Pray that your life would be lived for Christ in every way as you choose a life of surrender to Him.  Pray that you would help others know the importance of dying with Christ in order to live.

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 – Ready To DIE! (Sermon Audio)
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Following Jesus – Ready To DIE! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the September 7, 2025 sermon, “Following Jesus: Ready To Die!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Matthew 27:27-66

 

“But Peter declared, ‘Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.’  And all the other disciples said the same.” 
Matthew 26:35 (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.  The death we are called to as Christians is not a physical death, but rather a death to self so that we may truly live in Christ as He lives in us.  As we look at the crucifixion of Jesus, we find for our self a time to . . .

  • Declare:  Matthew 27:37-46

    • Being ready to die begins with a declaration of separation.  Sin brings separation, and it was our sin which separated Jesus from His Father to such an extent that He declares a forsaking which had never taken place before.  When we choose to die to self, we must declare a forsaking of our sin in a way which completely separates us from it. 

  • Invite:  Matthew 27:50-53

    • Jesus was ready to die because He knew doing so would fully open the invitation to His kingdom for all to enter.  When the temple veil was torn in two, that which had been off limits to the average person became open to all.  When we choose to die to self, we allow the curtain which surrounds our life to be torn open as we invite the presence of God’s Spirit to dwell within.  In so doing, we also remove the barrier between us and others as we invite them to know of the goodness of God through us.

  • Embrace:  Matthew 27:54-61

    • It was the manner in which Jesus lived and died which brought with it the embrace of an unlikely collection of people.  From the soldier who verbally embraces the deity of Jesus to the women who embraced a position of caring for Him to Joseph who embraced the task of providing a place for the body, we find people who chose to embrace the One they knew as Jesus.  When we choose to die to self, we discover an embrace that flows from Christ to us and from us to those around us and from those around us back to us.

 

Today, how will you be ready to DIE?

Encouragement and Prayer: Prepared For Loneliness! (9/5/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Prepared For Loneliness! (9/5/25)

This is the audio from the September 5, 2025 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“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)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be about asking for God’s help in being prepared for the trials you will face in life.  After His arrest in the garden, Jesus was tried and sentenced to death.  As we consider the various elements of what was going on in the pretense of a trial which found Him guilty, we see things that we face on a regular basis.  It is in these daily trials that we are tested to see how prepared we really are.  Pray that you would be prepared for each trial as you consider how Jesus endured all that He faced.  Pray that your response to those who appear to be the source of your trials would be a godly response.  Pray for the courage and wisdom to speak when needed and to be silent when needed.  Pray that you would learn any and all lessons that God desires to teach you through the trials of life.  Pray that your life would be a witness to others of how God helps His children in the midst of their trials.

“Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.”
Matthew 27:26 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you be aware of the various testings and trials you will face.  Pray that you would live with an awareness of God’s presence to help you when you feel all alone.  Pray for the peace which comes from being chosen by God when others might choose anyone else over 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