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Encouragement and Prayer: Remember To Be Generous! (3/18/24)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Remember To Be Generous! (3/18/24)

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This is the audio from the March 18, 2024 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

 “The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.’  In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.’”
1 Corinthians 11:23-25 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be about some things God wants us to remember.  When Jesus ate with His disciples the night before His arrest and crucifixion, He did so in remembrance of the angel of death passing over the children of Israel who had followed God’s instructions.  He took that moment of remembrance and used it to ask His followers to remember His sacrifice which has the power to free us from the penalty of death.  As we remember the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, we will also spend time praying about remembering some things that God doesn’t want us to forget.  Things that we know, or have known, but would be good for us to remember . . . again.  Pray that you would remember the sacrifice of Jesus on your behalf.  Pray that you would remember the way of life God calls you to live.  Pray that you would remember to put into practice the things God wants you to never forget.

“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.”
2 Corinthians 9:6 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you remember.  Pray that you would remember to be generous with the things you sow into the lives of others.  Pray that your generosity would reflect the things of eternal value.  Pray that your generosity would result in an abundance of godly fruit.

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

In prayer,
Tom

Good News: The Ultimate MEAL! (Sermon Audio)
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Good News: The Ultimate MEAL! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the March 17, 2024 sermon, “Good News: The Ultimate MEAL!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Luke 22:7-53

“The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.’  In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.’”
1 Corinthians 11:23-25 (NIV)

This morning’s message continued our Good News series from the gospel of Luke. This section of the series will take us to Resurrection Sunday as we gaze into the life of Jesus during His final week leading up to, and through, His resurrection.  As His trial and crucifixion loom large on the horizon, Jesus gathers with His disciples to share a Passover meal that would become more meaningful than the disciples could have awareness of at the time.    In fact, this meal was not just for them but it was to become an invitation to all believers to join with Jesus in a time of remembrance.  When Jesus invites us to dine with Him we discover a result that is beyond ordinary.  As He shares with His disciples on the night of His arrest, we find that He sets before us the ultimate . . .

  • Memorial: — Luke 22:7-23

    • At the heart of this twenty-second chapter of Luke is the gathering of Jesus and the disciples for what has become known as the Last Supper.  Within that meal, Jesus takes the ordinary elements of bread and wine to become an ultimate memorial for all believers to remember the broken body and shed blood which paid the penalty for our sin.  This ultimate memorial is designed to help us remember not just the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, but also the promise of His return.

  • Example: — Luke 22:24-38

    • After being told that one of them would betray Jesus, the disciples get into an argument about which one of them is the greatest.  While this wasn’t the first time this discussion would take place, I suspect that the motive this time was an attempt by each of them to clear themselves of being suspected as a possible betrayer.  While they argue about who was the greatest, the One who was greatest among them continues to set the ultimate example of what kingdom greatness looks like.  The ultimate example set by Jesus is one that chooses to serve others regardless of how much they may or may not deserve being served.

  • Action: — Luke 22:39-46

    • As the events in the upper room come to a close, the “after party” follows Jesus to the Mount of Olives.  We find from the text that this was a usual practice of Jesus and, at least on this occasion, the disciples followed Him.  While it was His usual practice, it was not necessarily a usual night.  It is important to realize that Jesus knew what was about to take place not only that night, but also in the days ahead.  It is with this awareness that Jesus engaged in the ultimate action of prayer.  The ultimate action of Jesus as He leaves this ultimate meal is to not only spend time in prayer with His Father, but to call His disciples to engage in that ultimate action of prayer also.

  • Love: — Luke 22:47-52

    • While the entire record of this final meal Jesus has with His disciples is filled with example after example of His love, perhaps nothing proclaims His ultimate love quite like what occurs as a crowd comes out to arrest Him.  In an attempt to protect Jesus, a sword is drawn and swung by the disciples with the result being a servant of the high priest having one less ear than he began the evening with.  In a stunning example of putting into practice His own teaching of loving your enemies, Jesus heals the man who had been struck by the sword.  As surprising as that might be, the ultimate love of Jesus wasn’t an act of kindness shown to one servant but rather the surrender of Himself without a fight so that the spotless Lamb of God could atone for your sin and my sin.

As you receive the good news of Jesus, how will you engage in the ultimate MEAL?

Encouragement and Prayer: Watch Out For Opposition! (3/15/24)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Watch Out For Opposition! (3/15/24)

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This is the audio from the March 15, 2024 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

 “Teacher,” they asked, “when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?”  He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them.  When you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.”
Luke 21:7-9 (NIV)

This week our prayer focus will be on our need to pay attention to the happenings of life with a view of an eternal perspective.  We often see in Scripture that Jesus often noticed things that were different from what others paid attention to.  When we become distracted by the things of this world, Jesus desires to turn our attention to the things we ought to watch out for.  The goal is not to frighten us, but to challenge us with the need to be ready for eternity as we notice the signs of a failing world.  Pray that your relationship with Jesus would fill you with His presence in a way that gives you the strength, wisdom, and courage to always be watchful.  Pray that your desire to know Christ and the power of His resurrection would be greater than any other desire you have.

“Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done.  You too should be on your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our message.”
2 Timothy 4:14-15 (NIV)

 As you pray, ask God to help you be aware of the attempts of the enemy to destroy you.  Pray that God would help you to see the source of any opposition you face.  Pray that you would be on guard against those who would oppose the message of the gospel.

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: Watch Out For Greed! (3/14/24)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Watch Out For Greed! (3/14/24)

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This is the audio from the March 14, 2024 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

 “Teacher,” they asked, “when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?”  He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them.  When you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.”
Luke 21:7-9 (NIV)

This week our prayer focus will be on our need to pay attention to the happenings of life with a view of an eternal perspective.  We often see in Scripture that Jesus often noticed things that were different from what others paid attention to.  When we become distracted by the things of this world, Jesus desires to turn our attention to the things we ought to watch out for.  The goal is not to frighten us, but to challenge us with the need to be ready for eternity as we notice the signs of a failing world.  Pray that your relationship with Jesus would fill you with His presence in a way that gives you the strength, wisdom, and courage to always be watchful.  Pray that your desire to know Christ and the power of His resurrection would be greater than any other desire you have.

“Then he said to them, ‘Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.’”
Luke 12:15 (NIV)

 As you pray, ask God to help you be aware of the attempts of the enemy to destroy you.  Pray that you would always be on guard against the desire to measure yourself, and others, by the things that are owned.  Pray for courage in resisting all the temptations of dissatisfaction.

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: Watch Out For Hypocrisy! (3/13/24)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Watch Out For Hypocrisy! (3/13/24)

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This is the audio from the March 13, 2024 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

 “Teacher,” they asked, “when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?”  He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them.  When you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.”
Luke 21:7-9 (NIV)

This week our prayer focus will be on our need to pay attention to the happenings of life with a view of an eternal perspective.  We often see in Scripture that Jesus often noticed things that were different from what others paid attention to.  When we become distracted by the things of this world, Jesus desires to turn our attention to the things we ought to watch out for.  The goal is not to frighten us, but to challenge us with the need to be ready for eternity as we notice the signs of a failing world.  Pray that your relationship with Jesus would fill you with His presence in a way that gives you the strength, wisdom, and courage to always be watchful.  Pray that your desire to know Christ and the power of His resurrection would be greater than any other desire you have.

“Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: ‘Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.’”
Luke 12:1 (NIV)

 As you pray, ask God to help you be aware of the attempts of the enemy to destroy you.  Pray that God would surround you with people whose lives match their words.  Pray that you would always be on guard against the temptation to be someone different than who God says you are.

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: Watch Out For False Teaching! (3/12/24)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Watch Out For False Teaching! (3/12/24)

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This is the audio from the March 12, 2024 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

 “Teacher,” they asked, “when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?”  He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them.  When you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.”
Luke 21:7-9 (NIV)

This week our prayer focus will be on our need to pay attention to the happenings of life with a view of an eternal perspective.  We often see in Scripture that Jesus often noticed things that were different from what others paid attention to.  When we become distracted by the things of this world, Jesus desires to turn our attention to the things we ought to watch out for.  The goal is not to frighten us, but to challenge us with the need to be ready for eternity as we notice the signs of a failing world.  Pray that your relationship with Jesus would fill you with His presence in a way that gives you the strength, wisdom, and courage to always be watchful.  Pray that your desire to know Christ and the power of His resurrection would be greater than any other desire you have.

“For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect — if that were possible.  So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time.”
Mark 13:22-23 (NIV)

 As you pray, ask God to help you be aware of the attempts of the enemy to destroy you.  Pray that God would help you to be devoted to His teachings so that false teaching would not deceive you.  Pray that God’s Spirit would help you hold fast to the truth of God’s Word.

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: Watch Out For Betrayal! (3/11/24)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Watch Out For Betrayal! (3/11/24)

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This is the audio from the March 11, 2024 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

 “Teacher,” they asked, “when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?”  He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them.  When you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.”
Luke 21:7-9 (NIV)

This week our prayer focus will be on our need to pay attention to the happenings of life with a view of an eternal perspective.  We often see in Scripture that Jesus often noticed things that were different from what others paid attention to.  When we become distracted by the things of this world, Jesus desires to turn our attention to the things we ought to watch out for.  The goal is not to frighten us, but to challenge us with the need to be ready for eternity as we notice the signs of a failing world.  Pray that your relationship with Jesus would fill you with His presence in a way that gives you the strength, wisdom, and courage to always be watchful.  Pray that your desire to know Christ and the power of His resurrection would be greater than any other desire you have.

“Be on your guard against men; they will hand you over to the local councils and flog you in their synagogues.”
Matthew 10:17 (NIV)

 As you pray, ask God to help you be aware of the attempts of the enemy to destroy you.  Pray that God would protect your heart and mind from the damage caused by betrayers.  Pray that your trust of God would fill you with peace.  Pray that you would watch yourself in a way that you would not betray others.

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

In prayer,
Tom

Good News: Understanding the SIGNS! (Sermon Audio)
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Good News: Understanding the SIGNS! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the March 10, 2024 sermon, “Good News: Understanding the SIGNS!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Luke 21

“Teacher,” they asked, “when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?”  He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them.  When you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.”
Luke 21:7-9 (NIV)

This morning’s message continued our Good News series from the gospel of Luke. This section of the series we will take us to Resurrection Sunday as we gaze into the life of Jesus during His final week leading up to, and through, His resurrection.  As Jesus taught during the week leading up to His crucifixion, there was often a great difference in what He noticed compared to what others noticed.  As we get to chapter twenty-one of Luke, Jesus notices a person’s sacrificial gift while the disciples notice the beauty of the temple.  It is in that context that Jesus chooses to teach about our need to become better at both noticing and understanding the signs that accompany the coming of God’s kingdom.  When we choose to notice what Jesus noticed, we will grow in our understanding of the . . .

  • Sacrifice: — Luke 21:1-6

    • Understanding the signs begins with an understanding of the sacrifice that we’re called to as followers of Jesus.  In fact, it is the sacrifice made by a poor widow which gets the attention of Jesus when His followers are enamored with the outward beauty of the temple.  While the sacrifice of Jesus is essential to us having the ability to be made right with God, the response He expects from us is one of complete surrender of all that we have.

  • Information: — Luke 21:7-26

    • Understanding the signs includes paying attention not only to the facts of the moment, but to living with discernment when it comes to what is really going on around us.  The enemy works his tools of deception in an attempt to divide us from God and from one another.  Good information only comes when we are willing to filter all information through the Word of God and His Spirit.

  • Glory: — Luke 21:27-28

    • Understanding the signs is only possible in the context us knowing the glory of Jesus that is His alone.  While the increasing signs of the end of all things is enough to cause fear and terror, living in relationship with Jesus leads to a very different view of those signs because we know God is victorious.

  • Need: — Luke 21:29-35

    • Understanding the signs should bring us to a recognition of our need for Christ in all things.  While the troubles of this world lead to many attempts to escape the reality of our situation, and leads to anxiety when we can’t escape, the solution is found in Jesus.

  • Son: — Luke 21:36-38

    • Understanding the signs is built on the foundation of knowing Jesus as the Son of God.  When we are willing to submit to His authority, we find peace when the world is filled with turmoil and confusion.  Understanding the Son is a continual process as we spend time each day in God’s Word and prayer, learning from His Spirit who leads us into greater wisdom.

As you receive the good news of Jesus, how will grow in understanding the SIGNS?