knowledge

An Offering of PALMS! (Sermon Audio)
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An Offering of PALMS! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the April 10, 2022 sermon, “An Offering of PALMS”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Goshen Christian Church.

Text:  Luke 19:30-48

It can be easy to look at the final week leading to the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus and be shocked at how quickly the crowds go from shouting “Hosanna!” to yelling out “Crucify Him!”  Before we come down too harshly on all those present for the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, we probably ought to take a close look at our own life and how it changes from Sunday worship to Wednesday workplace.  God’s desire is that we would hail Jesus as King every day as we offer Him our . . .

  • Praise.  Luke 19:37-38, Hebrews 13:15
    • Praising God ought to be a natural characteristic of a child of God.  While it is good to gather with others in a worship service and lift praises to God, a genuine offering of praise is something that should be done throughout each day that we live.  It is that daily offering of praise that keeps us on track to honor God as He deserves.
  • Attitude.  Luke 19:39-40, Ephesians 4:22-24
    • When we offer God our attitude, we ask Him to change us and make us more like Jesus from the inside out.  Many times our jealousy and pride keeps us from representing Jesus well when we are outside of our comfort zone and feel we have to prove our self to the people around us.  It is a daily offering of our attitude that allows us to humble ourselves and take on the attitude of Christ in the way we treat one another.
  • Love.  Luke 19:41, Ephesians 5:1-2
    • The things that break the heart of God ought to be the things that break our heart.  As Jesus approached Jerusalem, he wept.  We offer our love to God when we learn to love people like He loves people.  Loving like Jesus is not easy but it conveys a life-changing power that only He can provide.  As you weep with those who weep, it is a daily offering of our love that helps those who are hurting know the love of Jesus.
  • Motives.  Luke 19:45-48, Proverbs 16:1-2
    • According to the Bible, the why we do the things we do can be just as important, or perhaps even more so, than the actual things we do.  I’ve heard numerous church growth presentations that seem to center on everything except the main thing — introducing people to Jesus.  God wants us to offer Him our motives, since He know what they are anyway, so that instead of gathering to benefit ourselves we gather to become a house of prayer.  It is a daily offering of our motives to God that helps us to live with purified actions.
  • Stuff.  Luke 19:30-36, Luke 12:15
    • I’m always intrigued by the story of Jesus sending His disciples to borrow a colt with only the explanation that “the Lord needs it”.  I wish I knew the backstory of the guy the colt was borrowed from as it appears he raised no objections.  How would your life and my life be different if we held our stuff loosely and learned to share more readily?  Living with a growing awareness that “every good and perfect gift comes from above” ought to help us be more deliberate in offering our stuff to be used by the Lord.  It is through a daily offering of our stuff that we grow in our ability to trust God to supply all of our needs according to His riches in glory.

As you shout Hosanna today, what place does Jesus have in the details of your life?  Have you chosen to offer Him everything as you offer Him your PALMS?

Encouragement and Prayer: Leading Others! (04/08/22)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Leading Others! (04/08/22)

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This is the audio from the April 8, 2022 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”
Ephesians 4:16 (NIV)

“If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.”
Romans 12:7-8 (NIV)

Our “Lifestyle of Prayer” emphasis this week will focus on spending time in prayer regarding the “good works” God created in advance for you to do.  God calls all who take on the name of Christ, as Christian, to be workers in His kingdom!  For the body of Christ to function effectively, each member must do their part.  While not everyone  has the same function in the body of Christ, we all have the same head.  It is as we live in submission to Jesus as our head that we grow not only as individuals, but also as a body.

“Then I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding.”
Jeremiah 3:15 (NIV)

 As you pray this week, ask God to help you live with the humility of submission.  Pray that you would do your part in leading those God has given you responsibility for.  Pray that all areas in which you lead would be directed from the very heart of God.  Pray that the leaders of the church would have the knowledge and understanding which comes from God.

You can find the live video feeds of these encouragement and prayer times on Impact Prayer Ministry’s Facebook page.

In prayer,
Tom

Encouragement and Prayer: Giving Generously! (04/07/22)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Giving Generously! (04/07/22)

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This is the audio from the April 7, 2022 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”
Ephesians 4:16 (NIV)

“If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.”
Romans 12:7-8 (NIV)

Our “Lifestyle of Prayer” emphasis this week will focus on spending time in prayer regarding the “good works” God created in advance for you to do.  God calls all who take on the name of Christ, as Christian, to be workers in His kingdom!  For the body of Christ to function effectively, each member must do their part.  While not everyone  has the same function in the body of Christ, we all have the same head.  It is as we live in submission to Jesus as our head that we grow not only as individuals, but also as a body.

“Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV)

 As you pray this week, ask God to help you live with the humility of submission.  Pray that you would do you part in giving, first to God and then to others, according to His grace.  Pray that your giving of time, money, and ability would be done cheerfully and in response to God’s great gift of everything through His Son.

You can find the live video feeds of these encouragement and prayer times on Impact Prayer Ministry’s Facebook page.

In prayer,
Tom

Encouragement and Prayer: Encouraging Others! (04/06/22)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Encouraging Others! (04/06/22)

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This is the audio from the April 6, 2022 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”
Ephesians 4:16 (NIV)

“If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.”
Romans 12:7-8 (NIV)

Our “Lifestyle of Prayer” emphasis this week will focus on spending time in prayer regarding the “good works” God created in advance for you to do.  God calls all who take on the name of Christ, as Christian, to be workers in His kingdom!  For the body of Christ to function effectively, each member must do their part.  While not everyone  has the same function in the body of Christ, we all have the same head.  It is as we live in submission to Jesus as our head that we grow not only as individuals, but also as a body.

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV)

 As you pray this week, ask God to help you live with the humility of submission.  Pray that your attitude, words, and actions would be an encouragement to the people around you.  Pray that you would recognize how God encourages you through others and through His Word so you would grow in the ways you encourage others.

You can find the live video feeds of these encouragement and prayer times on Impact Prayer Ministry’s Facebook page.

In prayer,
Tom

Encouragement and Prayer: Teaching Others! (04/05/22)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Teaching Others! (04/05/22)

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This is the audio from the April 5, 2022 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”
Ephesians 4:16 (NIV)

“If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.”
Romans 12:7-8 (NIV)

Our “Lifestyle of Prayer” emphasis this week will focus on spending time in prayer regarding the “good works” God created in advance for you to do.  God calls all who take on the name of Christ, as Christian, to be workers in His kingdom!  For the body of Christ to function effectively, each member must do their part.  While not everyone  has the same function in the body of Christ, we all have the same head.  It is as we live in submission to Jesus as our head that we grow not only as individuals, but also as a body.

“And teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:20 (NIV)

 As you pray this week, ask God to help you live with the humility of submission.  Pray that you would grow in doing your part of teaching others with your words and actions.  Pray that you would recognize your responsibility from the Great Commission to teach the things of Christ.  Pray that you have courage in your teaching because of the presence of Christ in you.

You can find the live video feeds of these encouragement and prayer times on Impact Prayer Ministry’s Facebook page.

In prayer,
Tom

Encouragement and Prayer: Serving Others! (04/04/22)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Serving Others! (04/04/22)

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This is the audio from the April 4, 2022 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”
Ephesians 4:16 (NIV)

“If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.”
Romans 12:7-8 (NIV)

Our “Lifestyle of Prayer” emphasis this week will focus on spending time in prayer regarding the “good works” God created in advance for you to do.  God calls all who take on the name of Christ, as Christian, to be workers in His kingdom!  For the body of Christ to function effectively, each member must do their part.  While not everyone  has the same function in the body of Christ, we all have the same head.  It is as we live in submission to Jesus as our head that we grow not only as individuals, but also as a body.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you live with the humility of submission.  Pray that you would grow in obedience to God’s Word as you serve others with the various gifts and abilities God has given you.  Pray for a desire to do your part without comparisons to what others are doing.  Pray that the local body of Christ would function in a way that lifts up Jesus for the community to be drawn to Him.

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Mark 10:45 (NIV)

Pray that God would help you see, and do, your part in serving the needs of one another.  Pray for a growing willingness to serve within the gathering of believers as God gives opportunity and ability.  Pray that you would represent Jesus well as you humble yourself and serve.

You can find the live video feeds of these encouragement and prayer times on Impact Prayer Ministry’s Facebook page.

In prayer,
Tom

Making It PLAIN! (Sermon Audio)
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Making It PLAIN! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the April 3, 2022 sermon, “Making It PLAIN”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text:  2 Corinthians 6

While everyone of us stumble and fall at various times in our life, sometimes of our own doing, sometimes caused by others, and often caused by a combination of our self and others, we would do well to live in such a way that we don’t put a stumbling block in the path of anyone.  Because sometimes it is a lack of clarity that causes a person to stumble, we would do well to present the good news of Jesus in a way that we make it . . .

  • Personal.
    • We make the good news of Jesus plain to others when we make it personal.  Everyone who has come to a saving faith in Jesus has a personal story of how that happened.  Paul writes of being commended as a servant through life circumstances that are difficult, pleasant, and everything in between.  When we personalize how God is with us in good times and bad, we help others see the hope which can be found in Christ.
  • Loving.
    • We make the good news of Jesus plain to others when we make it loving.  Paul writes about his affection for the Corinthian people, even when they were not loving toward him.  When we learn to love people regardless of how they view us, we help make the good news of Jesus real.
  • Active.
    • We make the good news of Jesus plain to others when we make it active.  When Paul writes about not being unequally yoked, I believe one of the things he is addressing is a consistency that we need to have when it comes to our words and actions pulling in the same direction.  While this section of 2 Corinthians is often applied to marriage, there are many other areas of life that we can find ourselves joined with people who are pulling in different directions.  God says we cannot serve two masters and our actions ought to show we only have one.
  • Instructive.
    • We make the good news of Jesus plain to others when we make it instructive.  Paul makes it clear that the instruction he gives is not based on his wisdom but on God’s.  When we share with people, it is important that God’s Word is the foundation upon which we learn and teach.  The changes that God wants to make in our life are not random or arbitrary, rather they are always consistent with His Word.
  • Now.
    • We make the good news of Jesus plain to others when we make it now.  Paul made it clear that “now is the time of the Lord’s favor, now is the day of salvation.”  There is an urgency to the message because the message is a matter of life and death.

As you consider how the good news of Jesus has impacted your life, how will you be more involved in making it PLAIN to the people around you?

Encouragement and Prayer: Love One Another! (04/01/22)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Love One Another! (04/01/22)

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This is the audio from the April 1, 2022 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.  Do everything in love.”
1 Corinthians 16:13-14(NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on some godly instruction that Paul gives as he wraps up his first letter to the Corinthians.  Many times when we get to the end of a conversation or letter we become much more intentional and concise in trying to get our point across.  It seems to me that Paul has that same tendency as he gets to the end of this letter we know as 1 Corinthians.  These are not really new instructions he is giving but rather they are worded in order to convey urgency and importance to his readers then and to us.

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”
1 Peter 4:8 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you know the value of receiving, and living by, godly instruction.  Pray for a full acceptance of the greatness of God’s love for you.  Pray that your realization of God’s love would direct the way you love others.  Pray that your love for others would continue to grow deeply as you practice giving and receiving forgiveness.  Pray for a love that helps you to forgive the sins done against you just as God forgives the sins you commit against Him.

You can find the live video feeds of these encouragement and prayer times on Impact Prayer Ministry’s Facebook page.

In prayer,
Tom