Jesus

Following Jesus – Overcoming What You’ve HEARD! (Sermon Audio)
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Following Jesus – Overcoming What You’ve HEARD! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the February 2, 2025 sermon, “Following Jesus: Overcoming What You’ve HEARD!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Matthew 5:17-48

“For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 5:20 (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.  As we continue into the Sermon On the Mount, we find Jesus helping us understand the heart of God which will help us overcome what we’ve . . .

  • Harbored:  Matthew 5:21-26

    • “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.'”  Matthew 5:21
      To overcome what you have heard about murder, Jesus wants you to examine your heart to see the anger which is often harbored.  Rarely, if ever, does murder just happen.  It is generally born out of the things which are harbored in the heart and allowed to grow.  It is not just the murder of a physical body which God is concerned about when it comes to our actions.  His commands teach us to look beyond what we thing we’ve heard and see the great damage caused by the murder of a person’s reputation, image, position, or any damage caused to their social, emotional, physical, or spiritual well-being.  We overcome what we’ve heard when we choose God’s help in removing all the harmful things which we tend to harbor. 

  • Eyed:  Matthew 5:27-32

    • “You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.'”  Matthew 5:27
      To overcome what you have heard about adultery, Jesus wants you to examine what you allow your eyes to linger on.  The lust in a person heart causes great damage whether that lust is focused on a person, place, or thing.  Unresolved and unrepented of, the lust of the eyes lead us to desire, touch, and take things which do not belong to us.  We overcome what we’ve heard when we pay attention to what we eye and choose to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.

  • Authorized:  Matthew 5:33-37

    • “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.'”  Matthew 5:33
      To overcome what you have heard about oaths and promises, Jesus wants you to pay attention to what you believe you have the right to authorize.  It is far too common to make uncommitted commitments simply to avoid saying yes or no.  When we choose to rank our promises based on who they’re made to, we show favoritism and partiality in ways which go against all that is of God.  We overcome what we’ve heard when we choose to be impartial in authorizing our yes to be yes and our no to be no every time.

  • Resisted:  Matthew 5:38-42

    • “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.'”  Matthew 3:38
      To overcome what you have heard about revenge, Jesus wants you to pay attention to who your resisting is against.  Our human nature wants to resist the person we believe has wronged us while the nature of Christ within us calls us to resist the devil so that he would flee from us.  While our flesh often wants revenge, God’s Word reminds us that our battle is not against flesh and blood.  We overcome what we’ve heard when we choose to resist the devil and all his temptations of revenge against others.

  • Decided:  Matthew 5:43-48

    • “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'”  Matthew 5:43
      To overcome what you have heard about love and hate, Jesus wants you to decide to love like He loves.  When we choose love and hate according to the standards of the world, we find our life filled with division and labels based on the distinctions defined more by hatred than love.  Prejudice and favoritism has no place within the kingdom of God in any way, shape, or form and definitely not in the way we love.  We overcome what we’ve heard when we decide to love all people in the way that Jesus loves them.

Today, how will you overcome what you’ve HEARD?

Encouragement and Prayer: Blessed Are the Peacemakers! (1/31/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Blessed Are the Peacemakers! (1/31/25)

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This is the audio from the January 31, 2025 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.’”  
Matthew 25:34 (NIV)

This week we focus on part of the Beatitudes as a prayer guide!  Being blessed means a lot of different things to people based often on the things we prioritize.  When Jesus taught about the things that ought to make His children so very happy, He did so in ways that turn the worlds ideals of health, wealth, and comfort upside down.  The real blessings of life that God would have us to pursue are blessings that transcend the things of this earth.  As you pray  about each day’s topic, pray that you will see beyond the ordinary and that God will use that characteristic in your life to bring blessing to you and to others through you.  Pray for the people in your life.  Pray for your family, your neighbors, your church family, your co-workers, and anyone else God brings to your mind.  Pray also that the blessings of these qualities would be ever-increasing in your life.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
Matthew 5:9 (NIV)

 As you pray this week, ask God to give you a greater understanding of His view of being blessed.  Pray that you would look for ways to make peace in the situations you face.  Pray that being a child of God would lead you to being a peacemaker where you live.  Pray that your life would be an example to others as they seek peace in all of their relationships.

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: Blessed Are the Pure In Heart! (1/30/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Blessed Are the Pure In Heart! (1/30/25)

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This is the audio from the January 30, 2025 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.’”  
Matthew 25:34 (NIV)

This week we focus on part of the Beatitudes as a prayer guide!  Being blessed means a lot of different things to people based often on the things we prioritize.  When Jesus taught about the things that ought to make His children so very happy, He did so in ways that turn the worlds ideals of health, wealth, and comfort upside down.  The real blessings of life that God would have us to pursue are blessings that transcend the things of this earth.  As you pray  about each day’s topic, pray that you will see beyond the ordinary and that God will use that characteristic in your life to bring blessing to you and to others through you.  Pray for the people in your life.  Pray for your family, your neighbors, your church family, your co-workers, and anyone else God brings to your mind.  Pray also that the blessings of these qualities would be ever-increasing in your life.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”
Matthew 5:8 (NIV)

 As you pray this week, ask God to give you a greater understanding of His view of being blessed.  Pray that your desire to see God would lead you to a cleansing of your heart through the blood of Jesus.  Pray that your dealings with others would come from a pure heart.  Pray that God would purify the hearts of those you pray for today so that they would see 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

Encouragement and Prayer: Blessed Are Merciful! (1/29/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Blessed Are Merciful! (1/29/25)

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This is the audio from the January 29, 2025 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.’”  
Matthew 25:34 (NIV)

This week we focus on part of the Beatitudes as a prayer guide!  Being blessed means a lot of different things to people based often on the things we prioritize.  When Jesus taught about the things that ought to make His children so very happy, He did so in ways that turn the worlds ideals of health, wealth, and comfort upside down.  The real blessings of life that God would have us to pursue are blessings that transcend the things of this earth.  As you pray  about each day’s topic, pray that you will see beyond the ordinary and that God will use that characteristic in your life to bring blessing to you and to others through you.  Pray for the people in your life.  Pray for your family, your neighbors, your church family, your co-workers, and anyone else God brings to your mind.  Pray also that the blessings of these qualities would be ever-increasing in your life.

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”
Matthew 5:7 (NIV)

 As you pray this week, ask God to give you a greater understanding of His view of being blessed.  Pray for God’s help in being merciful as you encounter those who are in need.  Pray that God would fill you with an understanding of your need for mercy in such a way that you would show mercy to others.  Pray that God’s mercy would be received by those you pray for today.

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: Blessed Are Those Who Hunger and Thirst For Righteousness! (1/28/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Blessed Are Those Who Hunger and Thirst For Righteousness! (1/28/25)

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

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.’”  
Matthew 25:34 (NIV)

This week we focus on part of the Beatitudes as a prayer guide!  Being blessed means a lot of different things to people based often on the things we prioritize.  When Jesus taught about the things that ought to make His children so very happy, He did so in ways that turn the worlds ideals of health, wealth, and comfort upside down.  The real blessings of life that God would have us to pursue are blessings that transcend the things of this earth.  As you pray  about each day’s topic, pray that you will see beyond the ordinary and that God will use that characteristic in your life to bring blessing to you and to others through you.  Pray for the people in your life.  Pray for your family, your neighbors, your church family, your co-workers, and anyone else God brings to your mind.  Pray also that the blessings of these qualities would be ever-increasing in your life.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”
Matthew 5:6 (NIV)

 As you pray this week, ask God to give you a greater understanding of His view of being blessed.  Pray that your hunger and thirst for the things of God would fill you with His righteousness.  Pray that your desires would always be turned to the things which are right.  Pray for opportunities to share with others from the righteousness which God has filled you 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: Blessed Are Those Who Mourn! (1/27/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Blessed Are Those Who Mourn! (1/27/25)

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

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.’”  
Matthew 25:34 (NIV)

This week we focus on part of the Beatitudes as a prayer guide!  Being blessed means a lot of different things to people based often on the things we prioritize.  When Jesus taught about the things that ought to make His children so very happy, He did so in ways that turn the worlds ideals of health, wealth, and comfort upside down.  The real blessings of life that God would have us to pursue are blessings that transcend the things of this earth.  As you pray  about each day’s topic, pray that you will see beyond the ordinary and that God will use that characteristic in your life to bring blessing to you and to others through you.  Pray for the people in your life.  Pray for your family, your neighbors, your church family, your co-workers, and anyone else God brings to your mind.  Pray also that the blessings of these qualities would be ever-increasing in your life.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”
Matthew 5:4 (NIV)

 As you pray this week, ask God to give you a greater understanding of His view of being blessed.  Pray that your realization and expression of loss would lead you to the comfort of God’s love.  Pray that your mourning would receive God’s comfort so you may comfort others.  Pray that your life would share the good news of God’s comfort as you interact with those who mourn.

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 – A Blessed Life! (Sermon Audio)
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Following Jesus – A Blessed Life! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the January 26, 2025 sermon, “Following Jesus: A Blessed LIFE!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Matthew 5:1-16

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.’”  
Matthew 25:34 (NIV)

As one called by Jesus to “Come, follow me”, Matthew gives us great teaching on what it looks like to live life following Jesus.  After Jesus stood fast against the temptations of the devil, He began to teach what it looks like, even when faced with being poor in spirit, mourning, being meek, hungering & thirsting for righteousness, being merciful, being pure in heart, being a peacemaker, being persecuted, being insulted, and/or being falsely accused, to live a blessed . . .

  • Lesson:  Matthew 5:1-2

    • A blessed life begins with the willingness of Jesus to sit down with us and share a blessed lesson.  

  • Intention:  Matthew 5:3-9

    • A blessed life, from the perspective of Jesus, will call us to understand the blessed intention woven within the life we live.

  • Faith:  Matthew 5:10-12

    • A blessed life can only be experienced in the difficulties of life when we live with a blessed faith in all circumstances.

  • Example:  Matthew 5:13-16

    • A blessed life is given to us by God so that we would become a blessed example of His goodness.

Today, how will you live a blessed LIFE?

Encouragement and Prayer: Come To Repentance! (1/24/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Come To Repentance! (1/24/25)

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

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”  
Matthew 4:19 (NIV)

Our prayer emphasis this week will focus on responding to the call of Jesus to come, follow Him.  The call of Jesus to follow Him is not meant to be a passive following like is often done on social media.  No, it is a call to action as we come to where He is and then we follow His actions in regard to both where He goes and how He lives.  In fact, Jesus says that if we wish to come after Him we must take up our cross daily and follow Him even in our dying to self.  Pray that you would understand the need for an active following of the ways and teachings of God’s Word.  Pray for an eagerness to become more like Jesus in all your ways.  Pray that your response to God would daily be an active movement toward Him.  Pray for wisdom in living a life that invites others to come and follow Jesus.  Pray that your following of Jesus would result in a great catch of people for God’s kingdom.

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you grow in your desire to come and follow Jesus.  Pray for a growing understanding of God’s patience, both with you and with those around you, as He calls all people to repentance.  Pray that you would learn patience with those who still need to repent.

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