Unwrapped Teaching: TEACH! (Sermon Audio)
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Unwrapped Teaching: TEACH! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the February 1, 2026 sermon, “Unwrapped Teaching – TEACH!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Romans 15:1-14

 

“In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!”
Hebrews 5:12 (NIV)

As we continue on a journey to unwrap the gifts which have been given by God, we unwrap the gift of teaching to find God’s desire that we all . . .

  • Trust:  Romans 15:1-3

    • As we unwrap teaching, we find trust is a foundational element in being able to effectively teach.  We gain that trust as we follow God’s instruction in considering their needs to be more important than our own.  It is our trust in God that creates within us the ability to be trusted by those we are called upon to teach. 

  • Encourage:  Romans 15:4-6

    • As we unwrap teaching, we find a calling to encourage others with the things we have learned from God’s Word.  Encouragement is a powerful tool in opening the mind to a willingness to learn.  As we learn to encourage others with the same encouragement we ourselves have received from God, we find they will often be more open to what we teach.

  • Accept:  Romans 15:7

    • As we unwrap teaching, we must consider how it is God has accepted us so that we would accept others in a like manner.  God’s acceptance of us does not mean that He is okay with the sin in our life, but rather that He values and loves us enough to convict us of sin and provide a way out of it.  When we learn to teach in a godly manner, we learn to accept all people as having great value and being loved by God so much that He can transform them just as He transforms us.

  • Confirm:  Romans 15:8-12

    • As we unwrap teaching, we confirm the value of God’s Word from beginning to end.  All history of God’s interaction with mankind confirms His love and plan to redeem all who would come to Him.  As we teach all peoples to obey everything commanded by Jesus, we confirm His authority over us and over all mankind.

  • Hope:  Romans 15:13-14

    • As we unwrap teaching, we proclaim a message of hope.  This is a hope which is filled with truth and the goodness of God.  A hope so powerful that it equips each of us to teach one another because of God’s working in us.  We proclaim hope, not as a wishful thinking kind of delusion, but as a certainty of God’s work in the lives of mankind in keeping with His promises.

Today, how will you TEACH?

Encouragement and Prayer: Fellowship Of Suffering! (1/30/26)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Fellowship Of Suffering! (1/30/26)

This is the audio from the January 30, 2026 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.”
1 John 1:3 (NIV)

Our prayer emphasis this week will focus on growing in fellowship through the gift of mercy.  While most Christians are aware of God’s desire that we have fellowship with Him and with one another, we often leave growing in that fellowship to chance with little training or practice in the things that would draw us together.  Pray that you would desire a greater fellowship with God as the foundation of all of your other relationships.  Pray that you would grow in both the desire and practice of living in fellowship with those who share your faith in God.  Pray that the fellowship you experience with other believers would attract others to pursuing God and having fellowship with Him.  Pray that your fellowship with Christ, and with one another, would prepare you for an eternal fellowship.  Pray for a spirit of unity among brothers and sisters in Christ as we grow in our love for one another.

“I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.”
Philippians 3:10-11 (NIV)

As you pray this week, talk with God about how your fellowship with Him can grow.  Pray that you would know the value of joining in the fellowship of Christ’s suffering.  Pray that a fellowship in the suffering of Christ would keep you aware of the sufferings of 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

Encouragement and Prayer: Fellowship Of Grace! (1/29/26)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Fellowship Of Grace! (1/29/26)

This is the audio from the January 29, 2026 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.”
1 John 1:3 (NIV)

Our prayer emphasis this week will focus on growing in fellowship through the gift of mercy.  While most Christians are aware of God’s desire that we have fellowship with Him and with one another, we often leave growing in that fellowship to chance with little training or practice in the things that would draw us together.  Pray that you would desire a greater fellowship with God as the foundation of all of your other relationships.  Pray that you would grow in both the desire and practice of living in fellowship with those who share your faith in God.  Pray that the fellowship you experience with other believers would attract others to pursuing God and having fellowship with Him.  Pray that your fellowship with Christ, and with one another, would prepare you for an eternal fellowship.  Pray for a spirit of unity among brothers and sisters in Christ as we grow in our love for one another.

“James, Peter and John, those reputed to be pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me.”
Galatians 2:9 (NIV)

As you pray this week, talk with God about how your fellowship with Him can grow.  Pray that you would realize the grace offered to you by God, and by others, as they accepted you into fellowship.  Pray that you would trust God’s grace to work in the lives of others as you join them in fellowship and make them feel welcome.

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: Fellowship Through the Holy Spirit! (1/28/26)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Fellowship Through the Holy Spirit! (1/28/26)

This is the audio from the January 28, 2026 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.”
1 John 1:3 (NIV)

Our prayer emphasis this week will focus on growing in fellowship through the gift of mercy.  While most Christians are aware of God’s desire that we have fellowship with Him and with one another, we often leave growing in that fellowship to chance with little training or practice in the things that would draw us together.  Pray that you would desire a greater fellowship with God as the foundation of all of your other relationships.  Pray that you would grow in both the desire and practice of living in fellowship with those who share your faith in God.  Pray that the fellowship you experience with other believers would attract others to pursuing God and having fellowship with Him.  Pray that your fellowship with Christ, and with one another, would prepare you for an eternal fellowship.  Pray for a spirit of unity among brothers and sisters in Christ as we grow in our love for one another.

“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”
2 Corinthians 13:14 (NIV)

As you pray this week, talk with God about how your fellowship with Him can grow.  Pray that you would live with an awareness of God’s Spirit living in fellowship with you each day.  Pray that you would allow the working of the Holy Spirit to bring you into greater fellowship with God and with one another.

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: Fellowship With A Faithful God! (1/27/26)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Fellowship With A Faithful God! (1/27/26)

This is the audio from the January 27, 2026 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.”
1 John 1:3 (NIV)

Our prayer emphasis this week will focus on growing in fellowship through the gift of mercy.  While most Christians are aware of God’s desire that we have fellowship with Him and with one another, we often leave growing in that fellowship to chance with little training or practice in the things that would draw us together.  Pray that you would desire a greater fellowship with God as the foundation of all of your other relationships.  Pray that you would grow in both the desire and practice of living in fellowship with those who share your faith in God.  Pray that the fellowship you experience with other believers would attract others to pursuing God and having fellowship with Him.  Pray that your fellowship with Christ, and with one another, would prepare you for an eternal fellowship.  Pray for a spirit of unity among brothers and sisters in Christ as we grow in our love for one another.

“God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.”
1 Corinthians 1:9 (NIV)

As you pray this week, talk with God about how your fellowship with Him can grow.  Pray that you would know the faithfulness of a God who calls you into fellowship with Himself.  Pray that you, and those around you, would respond faithfully to the calling of God to join with Him in fellowship through His Son, Jesus 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

Encouragement and Prayer: Fellowship In Worship! (1/26/26)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Fellowship In Worship! (1/26/26)

This is the audio from the January 26, 2026 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.”
1 John 1:3 (NIV)

Our prayer emphasis this week will focus on growing in fellowship through the gift of mercy.  While most Christians are aware of God’s desire that we have fellowship with Him and with one another, we often leave growing in that fellowship to chance with little training or practice in the things that would draw us together.  Pray that you would desire a greater fellowship with God as the foundation of all of your other relationships.  Pray that you would grow in both the desire and practice of living in fellowship with those who share your faith in God.  Pray that the fellowship you experience with other believers would attract others to pursuing God and having fellowship with Him.  Pray that your fellowship with Christ, and with one another, would prepare you for an eternal fellowship.  Pray for a spirit of unity among brothers and sisters in Christ as we grow in our love for one another.

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”
Acts 2:42 (NIV)

As you pray this week, talk with God about how your fellowship with Him can grow.  Pray that you would know and practice the things which are important as you gather with others to worship God.  Pray that your devotion to God would be reflected in the things you are devoted to doing as you worship.

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

Unwrapped Fellowship: The Gift of MERCY! (Sermon Audio)
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Unwrapped Fellowship: The Gift of MERCY! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the January 25, 2026 sermon, “Unwrapped Fellowship: The Gift of MERCY!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: James 2:8-17

 

“We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.”
1 John 1:3 (NIV)

As we continue on a journey to unwrap the gifts which have been given by God, we unwrap fellowship to discover the gift of . . .

  • Ministry:  James 2:8

    • As we unwrap fellowship to discover the gift of mercy, we find a calling to ministry.  It is through God’s mercy toward us that we experience how to love others in a merciful way.  While our church culture often things of ministry as a chosen way of life for those who are called to it, God views ministering to others as the responsibility of every believer.  The gift of mercy begins to be made known through us as we share in the gift of ministry. 

  • Equality:  James 2:9

    • As we unwrap fellowship to discover the gift of mercy, we begin to see the equality in both value to God and in the need for mercy.  While we may be able to quote the scripture that says all have sinned, sometimes we fail to act like all sin is repulsive to God.  When it comes to mercy, God’s desire is for each of us to receive His mercy in a way which leads us to extend mercy without favoritism.  The gift of mercy is displayed to us, and should be displayed through us, in ways which show equality.

  • Reflection:  James 2:10-11

    • As we unwrap fellowship to discover the gift of mercy, the ministry and equality of mercy should lead us to genuine and accurate reflection.  Our time with God and His Word should lead us to reflect on the plank in our own eye before we even begin to consider how to help our brothers and sisters with the specks in their eyes.  The gift of mercy gains power within us as we reflect on our need to receive it and share it.

  • Compassion:  James 2:12-14

    • As we unwrap fellowship to discover the gift of mercy, we ought to be moved to compassion for every person we encounter.  While it is easy to join in the suffering of that we might identify with as “worthy”, God’s compassion towards us was made known even while we lived as His enemies.  It is this level of compassion that leads us to show mercy in a way which triumphs over judgment.  The gift of mercy in us is revealed more fully when we learn to live with compassion.

  • Yourself:  James 2:15-17

    • As we unwrap fellowship to discover the gift of mercy, it is important to see yourself in both the giving and receiving of mercy.  As the grace and mercy of God cleanses us from all unrighteousness by the blood of Jesus, we have fellowship with God and with one another.  It is this gift of mercy which helps us grow in fellowship as life becomes centered around one another rather than on yourself.

Today, how will you live with the gift of MERCY?

Encouragement and Prayer: Insight That Seeks Knowledge! (1/23/26)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Insight That Seeks Knowledge! (1/23/26)

This is the audio from the January 23, 2026 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“Who is wise? He will realize these things.  Who is discerning? He will understand them.  The ways of the LORD are right;  the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them.”
Hosea 14:9 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus is about living with insight into God’s Word and the revelation of Himself to us.  Not everything is always as it first appears and there are many who attempt to deliberately deceive for a variety of reasons.  Discernment, or insight, is the quality necessary to live in the world between “everything is permissible” and “not everything is beneficial”.  Insight is a gift from God that helps us to live in the freedom of doing what benefits others according to their need.  Pray that discernment would help you to choose the best — not only over what is bad, but perhaps more importantly, over what is simply “good enough”.  Pray that you would seek wisdom from God in all situations so that you would not be easily deceived.  Pray that your response to deception would always be one of integrity on your part.

“The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge; the ears of the wise seek it out.”
Proverbs 18:15 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to fill you with an understanding of prophecy as an insight that gives you a greater understanding of His righteous ways.  Pray that the insight you seek from God would lead to actual knowledge.  Pray that you would have “wise ears” that seek out the knowledge that comes through godly discernment.

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