Lessons From the Road: Do You Want To Be WELL? (Sermon Audio)

Lessons From the Road: Do You Want To Be WELL? (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the March 15, 2026 sermon, “The Road To Healing: Do You Want To Be WELL?”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

John 5:1-14

 

“When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, ‘Do you want to get well?'”
John 5:6 (NIV)

As we join others in walking the road with Jesus, we find He guides us on a road to healing by asking if we want to be . . .

  • Whole:  John 5:1-6

    • We walk the road to healing when we allow Jesus to make us whole.  While we often long for a physical healing of anything which makes us uncomfortable, Jesus encounters us as a whole person who He created to love God with our whole heart, mind, soul, and strength.  If we choose healing for one part of who we are while ignoring the rest of our being, we will always be lacking the wholeness which comes from true healing. 
  • Embraced:  John 5:7

    • We walk the road to healing when we choose to be embraced by Jesus as one He desires to belong to Him.  When we obey the commands and instructions of Jesus, regardless of how logical or illogical they may seem, we embrace His authority in a way which brings healing to our brokenness.
  • Loved:  John 5:8-9

    • We walk the road to healing when we accept being loved by Jesus as one created in the image of God.  The involvement of love in the healing we need most is a love which flows from God to us, from us back to God, and from God through us to others.
  • Loud:  John 5:10-14

    • We walk the road to healing when we are compelled to be loud with our life in proclaiming what God has done.  This loud is not necessarily a volume kind of thing, but rather it is a lifestyle which makes it impossible for others not to see Jesus in us.

 

Today, how will you walk with Jesus on the road to being WELL?

Lessons From the Road: The Road To GREAT! (Sermon Audio)

Lessons From the Road: The Road To GREAT! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the March 8, 2026 sermon, “Lessons From the Road: The Road To GREAT!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Mark 9:2-41

 

They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, ‘What were you arguing about on the road?’  But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.
Mark 9:33-34 (NIV)

As we join others in walking the road with Jesus, we find He guides us on a road to . . .

  • Glory:  Mark 9:2-4

    • We walk the road to great when we acknowledge the backdrop of God’s glory all around us. 
  • Response:  Mark 9:5-8

    • We walk the road to great when we have a response which is obedient to the greatness of God.
  • Empathy:  Mark 9:14-29

    • We walk the road to great when we allow God’s Spirit to fill us with an empathy for all people as we grow in understanding the things they go through.
  • Acceptance:  Mark 9:33-37

    • We walk the road to great when we practice an acceptance of all people, particularly “the least of these”, just as in Christ we have been accepted by God.
  • Teamwork:  Mark 9:38-41

    • We walk the road to great when we grow in our teamwork with one another and with all who proclaim Jesus as Lord.

Today, how will you walk with Jesus on the road to GREAT?

Unwrapped Languages: Knowing God’s PLAN! (Sermon Audio)

Unwrapped Languages: Knowing God’s PLAN! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the March 1, 2026 sermon, “Unwrapped Languages: Knowing God’s PLAN!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Acts 2:4-16, 1 Corinthians 14:6-17

 

“When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language.  Utterly amazed, they asked: “Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans?
Acts 2:6-7 (NIV)

When we experience the gift of Jesus, it is imperative that we unwrap the various gifts He gives to us.  Today, we spend time in Acts where we find this gift of language being used in a remarkable way and then we look at 1 Corinthians to learn from God’s teaching about this gift.  As we continue on this journey, we unwrap the gift of languages to discover God’s . . .

  • Purpose:  Acts 2:4-6, 1 Corinthians 14:6

    • We unwrap the gift of language and discover God’s purpose in this gift was to be able to clearly communicate the good news of Jesus to people regardless of any language barriers. 
  • Lesson:  Acts 2:7-8, 1 Corinthians 14:7-9

    • We unwrap the gift of language and discover God’s lesson in this gift is about all things being done in a manner which leads to clarity rather than confusion.
  • Announcement:  Acts 2:9-11, 1 Corinthians 14:10-11

    • We unwrap the gift of language and discover God’s announcement about this gift is a declaration of His desire to be heard and understood by all.
  • Nature:  Acts 2:12-16, 1 Corinthians 14:12-17

    • We unwrap the gift of language and discover God’s nature is to reveal Himself through gifts which elevate Him as the giver rather than exalt the recipient.

Today, how will you hear, and respond to, God’s PLAN?

Unwrapped Leadership: The Wisdom to LEAD! (Sermon Audio)

Unwrapped Leadership: The Wisdom to LEAD! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the February 22, 2026 sermon, “Unwrapped Leadership: The Wisdom to LEAD!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

1 Kings 3:4-28

 

“So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?
1 Kings 3:9 (NIV)

When we experience the gift of Jesus, it is imperative that we unwrap the various gifts He gives to us.  As we continue on a journey to unwrap these gifts, we ask God for the wisdom to . . .

  • Listen:  1 Kings 3:4-5, 16-22

    • We unwrap the gift of leadership when we have the wisdom to listen to God and then listen to people. 
  • Examine:  1 Kings 3:6, 24-26

    • We unwrap the gift of leadership when we have the wisdom to examine the facts of what God has done and seek the truth from people.
  • Acknowledge:  1 Kings 3:7-9, 23

    • We unwrap the gift of leadership when we have the wisdom to acknowledge our need before God and acknowledge an understanding of what we have heard.
  • Decide:  1 Kings 3:10-14, 27-28

    • We unwrap the gift of leadership when we decide God’s ways are best and we ask Him to help us in the decisions we must make.

Today, how will you live with the wisdom to LEAD?

Unwrapped Gifts: The Gift of LOVE! (Sermon Audio)

Unwrapped Gifts: The Gift of LOVE! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the February 15, 2026 sermon, “Unwrapped Gifts: The Gift of LOVE!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

1 Corinthians 13

 

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
John 13:34-35 (NIV)

When we experience the gift of Jesus, it is imperative that we unwrap the various gifts He gives to us.  As we continue on a journey to unwrap these gifts, we find the most excellent gift of . . .

  • Learning:  1 Corinthians 13:1-3

    • As we unwrap the gift of love, we unwrap a learning of how love is the key element in making all other gifts useful. 
  • Observation:  1 Corinthians 13:4-7

    • As we unwrap the gift of love, we unwrap an observation of what true and godly love looks like.
  • Value:  1 Corinthians 13:8-12

    • As we unwrap the gift of love, we unwrap the value of a gift that endures when all else fails.
  • Eternity:  1 Corinthians 13:13

    • As we unwrap the gift of love, we unwrap the eternal nature of the one gift that is greatest of all.

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

Unwrapped Serving: Serve NOW! (Sermon Audio)

Unwrapped Serving: Serve NOW! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the February 8, 2026 sermon, “Unwrapped Serving: Serve NOW!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Proverbs 3:27-28; Galatians 5:13-18

 

“Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.”
Mark 10:43-44 (NIV)

When we experience the gift of Jesus, it is imperative that we unwrap the various gifts He gives to us.  As we continue on a journey to unwrap the gifts which have been given, we learn to serve . . .

  • NoticeablyGalatians 5:13-15

    • Like it or not, people notice how you treat others.  They notice how you treat your family, your coworkers, your neighbors, your friends, and even your enemies.  While there is instruction from God’s Word about giving and helping and serving in secret, we’re also told to let our light shine so that people will see our good deeds and glorify our Father who is in heaven.  The difference, I believe, is our heart and motivation.  Serving noticeably is not the same as serving to be noticed.  Paul makes it clear, just as Jesus did, that the way we treat one another within the body of Christ will get the attention of the lost.  Will you serve noticeably in a way that people see Jesus? 
  • Obediently:  Galatians 5:16-17

    • Serving now will also call us to serve obediently as we seek to honor Christ with our words and our actions.  I’m pretty sure you won’t always feel like serving even those you love, let alone those who are enemies.  We even struggle at times to want to serve God.  Serving now will require us to take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ so that we do what He commands rather than what we feel like or want to.  It is serving obediently that drives us to serve according to the needs of others rather than defining our service by what we want, are comfortable with, or desire.  This obedience is first of all an obedience to God as we seek His wisdom in understanding the real needs of others.  Will you serve obediently in a way which honors Jesus?
  • Worshipfully:  Galatians 5:18

    • Because Jesus set the example by humbling Himself and taking on the form of a man, even that of a bond-servant, we will find ourselves worshiping God when we serve Him by serving others.  Jesus declared that true worship is that which is done in Spirit and in truth.  When we acknowledge the presence of God’s Spirit within us, and learn to live in response to His leading, we find our life being true in its worship of God.  When we offer our self as a living sacrifice, it is a willingness to serve others according to their need, we please God and present to Him an offering which is our act of reasonable, or spiritual, worship.  Will you serve worshipfully in a way which exalts God?

Today, how will you serve NOW?

Unwrapped Teaching: TEACH! (Sermon Audio)

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 . . .

  • TrustRomans 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?

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

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 . . .

  • MinistryJames 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?