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This is the audio from the August 10, 2025 sermon, “Following Jesus: A Not So Secret Plot!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Matthew 26:1-13

• Promise:  Matthew 26:1-5

  • While the religious leaders were plotting to kill Jesus, He makes it known that the thing they wanted to do in secret was actually a not so secret promise from His Father to mankind.  The promise given to Adam and Eve in the garden, and to God’s people throughout the Old Testament times, was one of death being turned into life.  It is in this promise that Jesus declares He is headed to Jerusalem to become the ultimate Passover Lamb who would be crucified as the sin payment for all mankind. 

• Love:  Matthew 26:6-7

  • While the religious leaders were plotting a scheme of hatred towards Jesus, He is shown a not so secret love as a woman approaches Him to anoint Him with a very valuable perfume.  This not so secret love is not only seen in the actions of this woman, but also displayed by Jesus as He visits in the home of Simon the leper . . . one of the untouchables who had evidently been touched by the love of Jesus.  It is in the love that we find the example to love one another just as we are loved by Jesus.

• Observation:  Matthew 26:8-10

  • While the disciples had an observation of greed and jealousy, Jesus declares a not so secret observation which revealed the hearts of all involved.  The observations we make out of our human flesh and mind will always be clouded by self while the observations God desires to lead us to will always involve an examination of the heart.

• Truth:  Matthew 26:11-13

  • The disciples and religious leaders were influenced by a lie even as the not so secret truth stood before them.  Jesus prayed that we would be sanctified, or set apart for His use, by the truth.  As He prays to His Father, Jesus amplifies that the truth which will sanctify us is the truth of God’s Word — a truth which became flesh and dwelt among us as the Holy One of God.

Today, how will you share in this not so secret PLOT?

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This is the audio from the August 3, 2025 sermon, “Following Jesus: Keeping Watch!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Matthew 25

• Wise:  Matthew 25:1-5

  • Keeping watch requires a wisdom which knows what it is we are watching for.  As Matthew 25 opens with Jesus telling a parable, we find individuals labeled as wise or foolish with the only difference being pointed out is their preparedness, or lack of preparation.  The Bible tells us that wisdom begins with a fear of the Lord.  We keep watch with wisdom when we prepare ourselves at all times by obedience to God’s Word so that we are always ready for the return of Jesus. 

• Aware:  Matthew 25:6-13

  • Keeping watch requires an awareness of that which is necessary to be declared right with God.  Our preparedness for the return of Jesus is something we can share about with others so that they might also be ready, but it is not something we can do on their behalf.  The wise in our story were aware of both an unknown time period of waiting and an eventual arrival of the bridegroom.  We keep watch with awareness when we hold fast to our faith in Christ with an unwavering grasp that refuses to give it up for anyone or anything.

• Trustworthy:  Matthew 25:14-30

  • Keeping watch requires that we are trustworthy with all the Master has given to our care.  In Matthew 25, Jesus makes it clear that what is entrusted to each individual will vary according to an ability known by Him.  The evaluation of our trustworthiness is not based on equal results, but rather on faithfulness in using what has been given to us.  We keep watch as one who is trustworthy when we treat with value every good and perfect gift which God has placed in our life, and then we use that gift with faithfulness for the good of God’s kingdom.

• Compassionate:  Matthew 25:31-36

  • Keeping watch requires a compassionate attitude and practice toward all people in keeping with how we would treat Christ Himself.  As Jesus tells a story depicting the scene which will unfold at the end of this age, He speaks of a separation of people according to how they treated others.  We obviously know from the context of Scripture that we don’t earn salvation through our good deeds toward anyone, however our good deeds do reflect the transformation which God has done in our heart.  We keep watch as one who is compassionate when we both notice and join the suffering of others in ways which share the goodness of God’s presence with them.

• Humble:  Matthew 25:37-40

  • Keeping watch requires a humility which understands our being able to endure the return of Christ is only possible by His faithfulness.  This is a humility which recognizes that our wisdom, awareness, trustworthiness, and compassion are only good to the extent that they come from God and are used for His purposes.  The people who showed compassion to the hungry, thirsty, lonely, naked, sick, or imprisoned and were welcomed into the Master’s happiness had such a humility that they were unaware that they had done anything special for Jesus.  We keep watch as one who is humble when we do what is right with no expectation of recognition simply because it is right.

Today, how will you keep WATCH?

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This is the audio from the July 27, 2025 sermon, “Growing Together!”, shared by David Honeycutt and Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: 1 Corinthians 3

Good morning!  Welcome HOME!  It is so good to be here, worshiping together, praising together, One in Christ as we were created to be.  But sometimes . . . the church, as great as she is, forgets WHO she is.  It’s happened many times throughout history — including even here at times — AND even back in the very early days of the church as is described in our text, 1 Corinthians 3:1-9. 

• Corinth was experiencing an identity crisis — they forgot who they were.  Unfortunately, there were times in our history we forgot who we were.
• Ah . . . but God!  Which was Paul’s point . . God!  As His children we do what He assigns us to do, but in reality, He’s the one who gives it life!  Anything good from Deer Run is not due to human efforts alone.  No matter how hard any of us work, no one can take credit for what God has done . . . for what ONLY God can do! 
• Christians, whether as individuals or as an entire church — we grow only by the power of God through His Holy Spirit, Who acts like a seed accomplishing far more than we could ever ask or imagine.  And frankly, far more than we could ever see or measure!

• Working in you and through you, He can accomplish things beyond imagination.  And even things you deem small, like a seed, can produce without limit!  You just need to trust Him!  All God asks from any of us to be faithful. And remember, the seed of all faithfulness . . . is faith!  Simple faith!

Part Two:
Prepared to GROW!

Tom Lemler

• Give:  1 Corinthians 3:8-10

  • When the seed of faith is planted in us by God’s Spirit and nurtured by the faithful work of God’s servants, we grow in the way we give of our self.  Many times when we think of giving in the context of church teaching and practice, we focus on money.  God is more concerned about us giving our self fully to Him, and then all aspects of our life follow.  We learn to give in faith when we understand we are all working for the same Master and for the same purpose. 

• Refine:  1 Corinthians 3:11-13

  • As the seed of faith grows in our life, we quickly learn that we need to refine our thoughts and actions.  As we submit to Christ, we discover an ongoing process of refinement which purifies us from the inside out.  It is in the process of refining that the weeds of this world are pulled . . . and we keep pulling the weeds and discarding them so the seed can both grow and produce a bountiful harvest.

• Obey:  1 Corinthians 3:14-15

  • It is within this harvest of righteousness that we learn the value of obedience.  Even when our works are destroyed because they are not pure, it is our faith in Jesus which saves us.  Often times we learn obedience through an understanding of the consequences of disobedience,  yet as God prepares us to grow we learn to obey out of love.

• Worship:  1 Corinthians 3:16-17

  • When we draw near to God and find Him preparing us to give, refine, and obey, we discover a place of worship is always available because we have become the very temple of God.  With the seed of faith empowered by God’s Spirit within us, we are being prepared as both a people of worship and a place of worship.  It is our life which is offered to God in worship which prepares us for an eternity of worshiping God and becomes a witness to the world.

Today, how will you GROW?

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This is the audio from the July 20, 2025 sermon, “Following Jesus: Seeing the SIGNS!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Matthew 24

• Suffering:  Matthew 24:4-14

  • As Jesus begins to respond to His disciples about the signs they are asking about, He addresses the suffering that will take place.  The suffering of this world is a result of sin.  Some of it is a direct result of sinful acts that we commit or that others commit, while other aspects of suffering are simply a result of living in a world under the curse of sin.  As we draw closer to the return of Jesus with each tick of the clock, we also see an increase in the suffering which is directly related to a persecution of those who put their faith in Jesus.  Even through suffering and persecution, Jesus assures us that He knows those who are His and that salvation comes to those who remain faithful regardless of the circumstances. 

• Illusions:  Matthew 24:22-26

  • In addition to a growing culture of suffering, Jesus wants us to see the illusions for what they are so that we are not deceived.  Throughout history prior to the time of Jesus being on earth, as well as since that time, people have claimed to be the Christ or have pointed to others as being the Christ.  But the illusions which multiply as the day of Christ’s return approach are not only about Him having returned or being somewhere on earth, they also involve an illusion of truth which misrepresents Jesus as the only way to the Father.  When our eyes and ears are opened to the illusions of this world, we can live with confidence through a faith that is centered in the goodness of God and His promise not to forget those who are His.

• Gathering:  Matthew 24:27-31

  • Jesus talks in this chapter about a gathering in two very different contexts.  In the first, He talks about a gathering which surrounds death.  It can be easy to draw a crowd if you use the right bait.  When death reigns in our life, the vultures of the evil one gather quickly in an effort to completely destroy and devour us.  This is not the gathering we ought to be paying attention to.  The other gathering is the one He says can’t be missed.  We prepare ourselves for Jesus to come and gather to Himself all who are His when we practice gathering with other believers simply because we want to.

• Night:  Matthew 24:36-44

  • When we see the darkness of night, we would be wise to be watchful and prepared.  Jesus makes it clear through His teaching here on earth that even He does not know the day or hour of His return.  That information is exclusive to His Father.  Many people go to great lengths to be prepared as much as possible for the thief who likes to work under the cover of the night.  We put up motion detectors, security lights, cameras, and other surveillance items in attempts to be ready at all times.  Because the days we live in are evil and the darkness seems to grow unhindered, Jesus wants us to see the night and be ready at all times for His return.

• Sorrow:  Matthew 24:45-51

  • As Jesus responds to the questions of His disciples about the signs of the end of the age, He does so not to frighten them but to both encourage and warn them . . . and us.  The great danger of not seeing the signs and being prepared is that the end of the age will be a time of great sorrow for those who have rejected Jesus.  Seeing the sorrow that is to come ought to motivate us to put our faith in Jesus as the only One who can cleanse us of the sin which brings the eternal sorrow of separation from God.

Today, how will you respond to the SIGNS?

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This is the audio from the July 13, 2025 sermon, “Following Jesus: A Message of WOE!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Matthew 23

• Warning:  Matthew 23:1-12

  • As Jesus speaks to the crowd and His disciples, He gives a multi-part message of warning.  The first part of the warning is for all of us to pay attention to the authority of God’s Word and to do what it says.  The second part of the warning is to not be led astray by the actions of those who should know the right thing to do and yet fails in doing so.  Our obedience and allegiance is to God.  It is the responsibility of every believer to not only know and do the will of God, but to live with an integrity which doesn’t lead others astray when they follow our actions.  The message of woe that we hear from Jesus should be a message of warning so that we would not wander from the truth. 

• Observation:  Matthew 23:13-36

  • Jesus follows up the message of warning with examples from His observation of the religious leaders of His day.  The religious leaders had become very good at creating loopholes for themselves to justify their disobedience to God’s Word.  It is through this message of observation that we learn that Jesus is aware of all our thoughts and all of our action, as well as to the motives behind each.  We may fool others, and we may even fool ourselves, but we will never fool God.  God’s observation of us  is an involved observation that is not done to try and catch us doing something wrong in order to condemn us, but rather it is an observation being made in order to correct us so that we would return to the right path.

• Embrace:  Matthew 23:37-39

  • The real purpose behind this message of woe is to communicate just how much God longs to embrace every individual.  Even when proclaiming extreme sorrow and distress upon the religious leaders based on the accurate observation of their lives, Jesus makes it clear that it was always His desire that they would draw near to Him and encounter His embrace . . . but they were unwilling.  Whether the woe we experience is of our own doing or has been caused by the sinfulness present in the world we live in, God wants that experience to turn our hearts toward Him in order to receive the embrace He desires to give.

Today, how will you heed the message of WOE?

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This is the audio from the July 6, 2025 sermon, “Following Jesus: Knowing the Great I AM!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Matthew 22

• Invitation:  Matthew 22:1-14

  • Jesus tells several parable which compare the kingdom of heaven to a banquet of some variety.  In Matthew 22, He talks about a wedding feast in which the invited guests have no interest in attending.  When the invited guests not only refuse the invitation to the wedding of the King’s son, but they also mistreat and kill those extending the invitation, the King sends servants out to invite everyone they could find . . . both good and bad.  While the invitation is extended to all, not everyone comes dressed for the wedding and the king deals with that.  When we know Jesus as the Great I AM, we both experience and extend His great invitation for all who are weary to find rest, for all who are thirsty to be satisfied, for all who are hungry to be filled.  It is through our obedient response to the great invitation that we are clothed with Christ and found ready for the great wedding feast of the Lamb. 

• Authority:  Matthew 22:15-33

  • As we read the gospels, we find Jesus constantly being tested by the various groups of religious leaders . . . sometimes they seem to be working together and sometimes they appear to be taking turns.  In today’s text, both the Pharisees and Sadducees come up with their own tests in attempts to trap Jesus.  The Pharisees raise a question about paying taxes and the Sadducees raise a question about the nature of the resurrection of people from the dead.  The answers Jesus gives each of them avoid falling into their traps and give Jesus the opportunity to declare authority and understanding of scripture which exceeds that of the religious leaders.  When Jesus tells the Pharisees to “give to Caesar that which is Caesar’s, and to God that which is God’s”, He subtly reminds those who are the teachers of the Law that mankind was created in the image of God and thus we must give to Him that which bears His image.  When we know Jesus as the Great I AM, we discover Him to be the great authority over life and death.  We belong to Him now, and we belong to Him throughout eternity.

• Mandate:  Matthew 22:34-46

  • When the first two traps of Matthew 22 didn’t work, the Pharisees thought they would give it another chance by asking Jesus about what commandment was greatest.  In doing so, Jesus defines the mandate by which we must live in order to please Him.  This mandate is a command to love like Jesus loves.  While on the surface, the command to love does not appear to be new, Jesus makes it new by defining the love we must have for Him and for one another to be expressed in the way that He loves us.  When we know Jesus as the Great I AM, we find a great mandate to love God and love people.  In so doing, we discover a way of life which fulfills all the commands God has for us.

Today, how will you know the Great I AM?

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This is the audio from the June 29, 2025 sermon, “Following Jesus: What Will You DO?”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Matthew 21:18-46

• Discuss/Decide:  Matthew 21:18-27

  • When people encountered Jesus there was often a discussion, sometimes out loud and sometimes internally, about who He was and what He was teaching, and how He did the things He did.  It is out of those discussions we have in whatever form, that we eventually decide what we’ll do with Jesus.  Even when the discussions of the day would lead the religious leaders to consider the truth about Jesus, they often led fear lead as they held on to their own beliefs and traditions rather than embracing the person of Jesus being God with them.  When we choose to follow Jesus, we must gaze intently into God’s Word and allow the discussions we have to lead us to a point of decision. 

• Obey:  Matthew 21:28-46

  • One of the great difficulties of humanity is overcoming the fear which often keeps us from moving off a point of decision and into the action of obedience.  Jesus made it clear in His teaching that if you truly love Him, you will obey His commands.  Real love, especially real godly love, chooses to do what’s best for the one we love even when we don’t feel like it.  Obviously our human desires are not always pure, so there are times when seeking the best for the one we love is different from what they want, but God’s love and desire are pure, and our obedience becomes a reflection of our growing love for Him.  When we choose to follow Jesus, we choose a life of obedience even when our initial reaction is one that says, “I don’t want to!”.

Today, what will you DO?

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This is the audio from the June 22, 2025 sermon, “Following Jesus: Working For the KING!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Matthew 20

• Kingdom:  Matthew 20:1-5

  • While it looks like it should be obvious, working for the King requires that you work for the kingdom.  If the owner of a business hires you, it is generally expected that you work for the benefit of the business he owns.  If you are constantly talking badly about the place and people you work for, the logical question to me would be why do you still work there.  When people want a relationship with God through Jesus yet the works of their hands and their lips are not building up the kingdom of God, I have to wonder how much are you really working for the King.  Our life ought to be about making Christ and His kingdom known by the way we work at all things. 

• Invitation:  Matthew 20:6-16

  • As Jesus tells the parable of a landowner hiring workers, he encounters individuals who have been standing around all day without working simply because no one had invited them.  I remember hearing at times the question, “what are you waiting for, an invitation?”, when there was obvious work which needed done and I was not involved in it.  Yes, it is nice to be asked, but our response to Jesus being King ought to lead us to recognize His invitation to be involved in kingdom work at all times.  Loving my neighbor, being a neighbor, serving people, making phone calls and visits are all things that shouldn’t require an invitation beyond the one already issued in God’s Word to all believers.

• Need:  Matthew 20:17-19

  • Working for the King will always surround a meeting of the real need people have . . . the need to know Jesus as Lord and Savior.  Jesus made it clear that He came to seek and save the lost.  He communicated very directly to His disciples that He would go to Jerusalem and be crucified only to rise from the dead on the third day.  His work was about meeting the need each one of us have in paying the debt of sin that we can’t afford.  When we work for the King we become messengers of good news to all people that their ultimate need can be met in Jesus.

• Greatest:  Matthew 20:20-34

  • I am the greatest of all time is a claim many try to make but it really only fits One, and that is Jesus.  When approached by the mother of James and John about positions next to Jesus in His kingdom, Jesus replies that they don’t really know what they are asking for and it is not His place to give those.  He goes on to reemphasize the kingdom truth that the way to greatness is through surrender and serving.  In fact, the one who wants to be greatest will end up so by the willingness to become servant of all.  Jesus did this as He let loose His grip on the things of heaven to take on the form of a human becoming obedient even to death.  It is in His choosing to serve all mankind rather than be served by mankind that we find working for the  King really is working for the greatest!  

Today, how will you work for the KING?