Jesus

Following Jesus – Compassion For the SICK! (Sermon Audio)
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Following Jesus – Compassion For the SICK! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the March 2, 2025 sermon, “Following Jesus: Compassion For the SICK!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Matthew 9

“I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity.” 
Jonah 4:2 (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 Matthew’s gospel continues, we find Jesus encountering many people who had great needs.  As Jesus met those needs through His choosing to suffer with us, He shows us what it looks like to have compassion for the . . .

  • Sleeping:  Matthew 9:18-26

    • Jesus had compassion on those who were sleeping, even when people thought it was too late.  While the father of the girl in this portion of our text believed Jesus could bring life to his daughter, everyone else laughed when Jesus said the girl was just asleep.  We have a tendency to give up when people appear spiritually dead.  What Jesus wants is for us to have compassion for them as one who is just asleep and needs to be spiritually awakened. 

  • Invalid:  Matthew 9:1-8

    • Jesus had compassion on those who were invalids for one reason or another.  His heart went out to the lame, the blind, the deaf, to those physically impaired in whatever way imaginable.  But even more than a pity for their physical condition, Jesus was concerned about their spiritual disability.  While others would ignore them and even mistreat them, Jesus looked beyond their limitations and could see their faith.  We would do well to live with that same compassion which sees all people as valuable to God.

  • Crowd:  Matthew 9:35-38

    • Jesus had compassion on the individuals who make up the crowd.  He noticed their despair and trouble in a way which led His heart to go out toward them.  Rather than blame them for their condition, He recognized a lack of leadership which kept them from finding a good and godly sense of direction.  Yes, each person is responsible for the choices we make.  However, there is an increased responsibility for each one of us to be careful in how we represent Jesus and how we lead those within our care.  We share in the compassion of Jesus for the crowd when we notice the individuals and do our part to follow Jesus in a way which leads others to Him.

  • Kind (“That Kind”):  Matthew 9:9-12

    • Jesus had compassion on “that kind” of people.  When Matthew responded to the call of Jesus to “come, follow me”, his friends were not the kind of people the religious leaders found acceptable.  It was their belief that Jesus should not associate with “that kind” of people.  Whether a simple lack of understanding or a full out prejudice, we all have people that don’t fit our definition of belonging.  Rather than deny the truth, we would do well to let the truth lead us to a growing compassion for every person we encounter and especially for those we have the most trouble identifying with.  

Today, how will you have compassion for the SICK?

Encouragement and Prayer: Healed By Christ’s Sacrifice! (2/28/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Healed By Christ’s Sacrifice! (2/28/25)

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This is the audio from the February 28, 2025 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick.”
Matthew 8:16 (NIV)

This week we will focus our prayer time on knowing Jesus as the One who heals.  As Jesus encountered people, He not only taught them, He had compassion on them and healed them in every way imaginable.  While casting out demons and healing the sick was important work done by Jesus as He was here on earth, the most valuable work was the spiritual healing made possible by His death, burial, and resurrection.  Far too often in our prayers, we focus on a good thing — the physical healing of people — and miss a better thing, the spiritual healing of ourselves and others.  Pray that  God would cover you in His grace as you seek forgiveness and healing of anything that would hinder your prayers.  Ask God to help you spend at least as much time praying for the spiritual well-being of people as you do praying for their physical health.

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

As you pray this week, focus on praying about some aspects of healing that you ought to seek for yourself and others.  Pray that you would know the complete healing that was purchased for you by the blood of Jesus.  Pray that you would be healed from the power of sin in order to live a righteous life.

You can find the live video feeds of these 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: Healed By Confession and Prayer! (2/27/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Healed By Confession and Prayer! (2/27/25)

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This is the audio from the February 27, 2025 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick.”
Matthew 8:16 (NIV)

This week we will focus our prayer time on knowing Jesus as the One who heals.  As Jesus encountered people, He not only taught them, He had compassion on them and healed them in every way imaginable.  While casting out demons and healing the sick was important work done by Jesus as He was here on earth, the most valuable work was the spiritual healing made possible by His death, burial, and resurrection.  Far too often in our prayers, we focus on a good thing — the physical healing of people — and miss a better thing, the spiritual healing of ourselves and others.  Pray that  God would cover you in His grace as you seek forgiveness and healing of anything that would hinder your prayers.  Ask God to help you spend at least as much time praying for the spiritual well-being of people as you do praying for their physical health.

“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”
James 5:16 (NIV)

As you pray this week, focus on praying about some aspects of healing that you ought to seek for yourself and others.  Pray that you would have wisdom in agreeing with those you have sinned against or those who have wronged you.  Ask God to help you pray with and for others, especially those you are in disagreement with.

You can find the live video feeds of these 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: Healed By Pleasant Words! (2/26/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Healed By Pleasant Words! (2/26/25)

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This is the audio from the February 26, 2025 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick.”
Matthew 8:16 (NIV)

This week we will focus our prayer time on knowing Jesus as the One who heals.  As Jesus encountered people, He not only taught them, He had compassion on them and healed them in every way imaginable.  While casting out demons and healing the sick was important work done by Jesus as He was here on earth, the most valuable work was the spiritual healing made possible by His death, burial, and resurrection.  Far too often in our prayers, we focus on a good thing — the physical healing of people — and miss a better thing, the spiritual healing of ourselves and others.  Pray that  God would cover you in His grace as you seek forgiveness and healing of anything that would hinder your prayers.  Ask God to help you spend at least as much time praying for the spiritual well-being of people as you do praying for their physical health.

“Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”
Proverbs 16:24 (NIV)

As you pray this week, focus on praying about some aspects of healing that you ought to seek for yourself and others.  Pray that you would speak pleasant words and know the healing that you will both give and receive in doing so.  Pray that you would guard the words you allow into your life so the ones which take root in your heart and mind would bring healing.

You can find the live video feeds of these 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: Healed By God’s Word! (2/25/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Healed By God’s Word! (2/25/25)

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This is the audio from the February 25, 2025 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick.”
Matthew 8:16 (NIV)

This week we will focus our prayer time on knowing Jesus as the One who heals.  As Jesus encountered people, He not only taught them, He had compassion on them and healed them in every way imaginable.  While casting out demons and healing the sick was important work done by Jesus as He was here on earth, the most valuable work was the spiritual healing made possible by His death, burial, and resurrection.  Far too often in our prayers, we focus on a good thing — the physical healing of people — and miss a better thing, the spiritual healing of ourselves and others.  Pray that  God would cover you in His grace as you seek forgiveness and healing of anything that would hinder your prayers.  Ask God to help you spend at least as much time praying for the spiritual well-being of people as you do praying for their physical health.

“He sent forth his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave.”
Psalm 107:20 (NIV)

As you pray this week, focus on praying about some aspects of healing that you ought to seek for yourself and others.  Pray that you would know the power of God’s Word that can heal you from the deadly grasp of the grave.  Pray that your trust in God and His Word would lead you to share with others about the healing that can be had through the hearing and doing of God’s Word.

You can find the live video feeds of these 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: Healed By God’s Mercy! (2/24/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Healed By God’s Mercy! (2/24/25)

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This is the audio from the February 24, 2025 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick.”
Matthew 8:16 (NIV)

This week we will focus our prayer time on knowing Jesus as the One who heals.  As Jesus encountered people, He not only taught them, He had compassion on them and healed them in every way imaginable.  While casting out demons and healing the sick was important work done by Jesus as He was here on earth, the most valuable work was the spiritual healing made possible by His death, burial, and resurrection.  Far too often in our prayers, we focus on a good thing — the physical healing of people — and miss a better thing, the spiritual healing of ourselves and others.  Pray that  God would cover you in His grace as you seek forgiveness and healing of anything that would hinder your prayers.  Ask God to help you spend at least as much time praying for the spiritual well-being of people as you do praying for their physical health.

“I said, ‘O LORD, have mercy on me; heal me, for I have sinned against you.’”
Psalm 41:4 (NIV)

As you pray this week, focus on praying about some aspects of healing that you ought to seek for yourself and others.  Pray that you would seek, and know, the mercy of God when you need healing from sin, and from the effects of sin, in your life.  Pray that you would help others know of God’s healing as you extend the same mercy to them that you have received from God.

You can find the live video feeds of these 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 – The One Who HEALS! (Sermon Audio)
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Following Jesus – The One Who HEALS! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the February 23, 2025 sermon, “Following Jesus: The One Who Heals!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Matthew 8

“When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick.”
Matthew 8:16 (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 Matthew’s gospel continues, we find Jesus encountering many people who had great needs.  As Jesus met those needs, we discover that following Jesus includes knowing the One who . . .

  • Hears:  Matthew 8:1-7

    • Jesus is one who hears both what we say and what we don’t say.  There is great healing which takes place through the powerful act of being listened to.  Jesus could hear both the spoken request to be healed and the unspoken request to be touched.  We become more like Jesus when our following of Him leads us to listen for the purpose of hearing. 

  • Examines:  Matthew 8:8-13

    • Jesus is one who examines the motives of our heart even more than the actions of our hands.  As one who examines, Jesus encourages us to grow in faith as we move our belief in God from words to trust.  We can know the healing of Jesus when He examines our life and finds great faith.  We become more like Jesus when we examine, by the truth of His Word and His Spirit, our faith and find it growing.

  • Acts:  Matthew 8:14-16

    • Jesus is one who acts according to what is good and right and just.  The One who heals does so not only through hearing and examining, but by acting upon what was heard and noticed.  Our desire to be like Jesus ought to lead us to a greater awareness, and practice, of how we should act toward one another.  We become more like Jesus when we act like those who have been healed by His blood.

  • Loves:  Matthew 8:17

    • Jesus is one who loves above all others and sets the example of how we should love one another.  His love is not only evident in the laying down of His life to pay the penalty we deserve from sin, it is also evident in His living life as one of us and enduring the hardships and troubles that we ourselves encounter.  We become more like Jesus when our love is not only willing to die for others, but is willing to live a life of sacrifice for them.  

  • Saves:  Matthew 8:23-27

    • Jesus is the one who saves when no one else can.  When we find ourselves overwhelmed in the turmoil of life, the healing that we need is greater than a simple physical healing.  When the waves of worry and trouble crash over us, we can find comfort and healing when we cry out to Jesus to save us.  While the body we live in will not last forever, when Jesus saves us we have an eternal healing that will never fade.  We become more like Jesus when we share the good news of Jesus as the One who saves.

Today, how will you reflect the One who HEALS?

Encouragement and Prayer: A Wise Path! (2/21/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: A Wise Path! (2/21/25)

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This is the audio from the February 21, 2025 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“Enter through the narrow gate.  For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”
Matthew 7:13-14 (NIV)

This week we will focus our prayer time on finding, walking, and proclaiming the correct path.  If you’ve ever followed a path or road which abruptly ended in a place no where near your intended destination, you likely understand the importance of following the correct path.  While Jesus states few will find the correct path, it is not because the path is hidden but rather many are not looking for it.  Pray that you would actively seek God’s guidance as you spend time in His Word and in prayer.  Pray that your life would be evident to others in a way which points them to Jesus as the path of life.  Pray for wisdom in avoiding all the enticements of the path of destruction.  Pray for the humility to repent and change when you discover the path you are on is not correct.

“Listen, my son, and be wise, and keep your heart on the right path.”
Proverbs 23:19 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you know the path which leads to life so that you can walk on it every day.  Pray that you would desire godly wisdom as more valuable than all the wisdom of the world.  Pray for a listening spirit and mind which can hear the instructions of God regarding the path you take.  Pray that the emotions of  your heart would  not lead you astray as you choose to listen to the wisdom of God for direction.

You can find the live video feeds of these 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