zechariah

Following Jesus – The Promised CHILD! (Sermon Audio)
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Following Jesus – The Promised CHILD! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the December 8, 2024 sermon, “Following Jesus: The Promised CHILD!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Matthew 1:18-23

“’She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.’  All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:  ‘The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’ — which means, ‘God with us.’”
Matthew 1:21-22 (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.  As Matthew’s gospel begins, we find the promise of the Christ which teaches us that following Jesus includes knowing the promised . . .

  • Conception:  Matthew 1:18

    • Following Jesus recognizes the Spirit’s involvement in His promised conception and understands that we share in the nature of Jesus when our new birth is also conceived by the Holy Spirit.  

  • Honor:  Matthew 1:19

    • Following Jesus understands the promised honor that would be bestowed upon Jesus even when the world would not understand His origin.  We share in the promised honor when we look beyond the appearances of what might be and see the reality of what is.  

  • Intention:  Matthew 1:20

    • Following Jesus calls for a grasp of the promised intention of this child being born to save His people from their sin.  We live with this promised intention when we look at every person with the intention of God that all would come to repentance and be saved.

  • Love:  Matthew 1:21

    • Following Jesus leads us to know the promised love that God has for mankind as shown through the giving of His Son.  We grow in becoming like Christ when we both accept this promised love and then share this same love with all people.

  • Dwelling:  Matthew 1:22-23

    • Following Jesus is possible because of God becoming a child and dwelling among us.  We learn how to grow in Christ because of God through His Spirit dwelling within us.

Today, how will you experience the promised CHILD?

Following Jesus – Knowing the PAST! (Sermon Audio)
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Following Jesus – Knowing the PAST! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the December 1, 2024 sermon, “Following Jesus: Knowing the PAST!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Matthew 1:1-17

“But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.”
Galatians 4:4-5 (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.  As Matthew’s gospel begins, we find a record of the genealogy of Christ which teaches us that following Jesus includes knowing the . . .

  • Promise:  Genesis 17:3-7 (Abraham)

    • Following Jesus is based on knowing and believing the promises of God and then applying the goodness of God’s promises to our life.  

  • Authority:  1 Kings 2:2-4 (David)

    • Following Jesus requires us to believe and submit to His authority as the One promised by God to reign forever.  

  • Service:  2 Chronicles 30:7-9 (Kings)

    • Following Jesus calls us to know and live a life of service which reflects His nature as One who came to serve rather than be served.

  • Truth:  Acts 10:34-35 (People Used By God)

    • Following Jesus is based on the truth that all people are valuable to God and it is His desire that no one should perish but all would come to repentance.

Today, how will you know the PAST?

Godly Vision – A Vision of Victory: Ready to WIN! (Sermon Audio)
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Godly Vision – A Vision of Victory: Ready to WIN! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the November 24, 2024 sermon, “A Vision of Victory: Ready to WIN!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Zechariah 14

“The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.  But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
1 Corinthians 15:56-57 (NIV)

As God revealed Himself in Old Testament times to His chosen people, He often did so in visions seen by His prophets.  Zechariah was one of those prophets who was given a series of godly visions to share with God’s people of his time and with God’s people of today.  Today we concluded a sermon series from the book of Zechariah as we considered how his godly vision should teach us now.  As we gaze into God’s Word, we find this Godly Vision looked forward to the coming of Jesus and the work He would accomplish through His life, death, burial, and resurrection.  In this final chapter, we find a vision of victory as God makes us ready to . . .

  • Witness:  Zechariah 14:3-8

    • A vision of victory will help us be ready to witness the goodness of God and to be a witness to others of that goodness.  

  • Inhabit:  Zechariah 14:9-11

    • A vision of victory will lead us to following God in order to be ready to inhabit the eternal dwelling being prepared by Jesus for all who are His.  

  • Nurture:  Zechariah 14:16-21

    • A vision of victory will prepare us to be ready to nurture one another as we grow together in Christ.

Today, how will you be ready to WIN?

Godly Vision – A Vision of RUIN! (Sermon Audio)
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Godly Vision – A Vision of RUIN! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the November 10, 2024 sermon, “A Vision of RUIN!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Zechariah 11

“For I will no longer have pity on the people of the land,” declares the LORD. “I will hand everyone over to his neighbor and his king. They will oppress the land, and I will not rescue them from their hands.”
Zechariah 11:6 (NIV)

As God revealed Himself in Old Testament times to His chosen people, He often did so in visions seen by His prophets.  Zechariah was one of those prophets who was given a series of godly visions to share with God’s people of his time and with God’s people of today.  Today we continued a sermon series from the book of Zechariah as we consider how his godly vision should teach us now.  As we gaze into God’s Word, we find this Godly Vision looked forward to the coming of Jesus and the work He would accomplish through His life, death, burial, and resurrection.  As we continue our Godly Vision series from Zechariah, we look at the not so pleasant topic of A Vision of Ruin. To help us avoid ruin, God warns us of the dangers and consequences of rejecting Him.  A continued disobedience to God will find us facing a vision of . . .

  • Rejection:  Zechariah 11:1-6

    • A vision of ruin will have us noticing the role rejection has in the destruction of a life.  When we consistently declare our independence from God, it is our rejection of Him which results in a growing separation which eventually would lead to ruin.  While it is important to note the warning of ruin to those who reject God, the good news is that God promises that all who come to Him in faith will in no way be cast out. 

  • Uselessness:  Zechariah 11:7-9

    • A vision of ruin will reveal a uselessness of all the things of this world which we use in an attempt to justify ourselves.  The spiritual ruin which comes by separating ourselves from God will make us unfit for any good and useful purpose.  As we heed the warning of ruin which comes to those who pursue useless things and teachings, we can be filled with great hope in knowing God created us for a useful and noble purpose which He fulfills in us as we follow Him.  

  • Injury:  Zechariah 11:10-14

    • A vision of ruin will expose the injury which occurs when we live apart from God.  When we ignore the teachings of God’s Word, we live without the protection He desires to surround us with.  When we are injured, yet reject the Good Shepherd who can bring healing to us, we soon find ourselves injuring others.  The antidote which keeps us from ruin when we are injured, and keeps us from injuring others, is to accept the healing power of the blood of Jesus to cleanse us of all sin.

  • Neglect:  Zechariah 11:15-17

    • A vision of ruin can be the result of simple neglect.  The care, or lack of care, which we give something will generally indicate how likely it is to last the test of time.  For many, the ruin that is faced does not come from rejection, uselessness, or injury, but rather from a neglect of hearing and doing the Word of God.  Our neglect may not be all that intentional, but neither is our study, fellowship, and pursuit of God very intentional.  We have a tool to avoid ruin when we choose not to neglect the things of God and how He wants us to live.

Today, how will you overcome RUIN?

Godly Vision – A Vision of CARE! (Sermon Audio)
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Godly Vision – A Vision of CARE! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the November 3, 2024 sermon, “A Vision of CARE!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Zechariah 10

“I will strengthen them in the LORD and in his name they will walk,” declares the LORD.”
Zechariah 10:12 (NIV)

As God revealed Himself in Old Testament times to His chosen people, He often did so in visions seen by His prophets.  Zechariah was one of those prophets who was given a series of godly visions to share with God’s people of his time and with God’s people of today.  Today we continued a sermon series from the book of Zechariah as we consider how his godly vision should teach us now.  As we gaze into God’s Word, we find this Godly Vision looked forward to the coming of Jesus and the work He would accomplish through His life, death, burial, and resurrection.  As we return to God from wherever we are, we find He fills us with a vision of . . .

  • Compassion:  Zechariah 10:1-2

    • A vision of care is revealed in the compassion God has for people.  The suffering of mankind does not escape the notice of God.  In fact, He chose to suffer with us so that through Jesus He could rescue us from the source of our suffering — sin.  When we experience the compassion of God, we learn to care for others when we extend that same compassion towards them. 

  • Anger:  Zechariah 10:3-5

    • A vision of care contains a surprising element of anger.  In fact, a lack of anger about anything will generally expose a lack of true care about anything.  The problem isn’t the anger, but rather the way we express and respond to anger.  When we notice the things which make God angry, we also see His heart for people exposed in His care for them . . . even when His anger burns against them.  When we learn to care for people in the way God cares, we learn to focus our anger against the spiritual enemy which seeks to destroy rather than on the people whom God seeks to save.  

  • Restoration:  Zechariah 10:6-8

    • A vision of care will turn the compassion and anger we experience into a process of restoration.  Far too many people are living life distant from God and from one another simply because the enemy does a good job of convincing them that they are not cared for.  Unfortunately, as Christians we don’t always excel in expressing care for people in a way which restores them to God or to fellowship with others.  When we understand the extent of God’s love while we lived as His enemy, we begin to see a godly care which leads to restoration.

  • Embrace:  Zechariah 10:9-12

    • A vision of care is not restricted to compassion, anger, and restoration in ways which are superficial.  In fact the superficial nature of many human relationships cause much of the despair and hopelessness which comes from believing no one really cares.  The kind of care God expresses towards us is the kind which embraces us as one fully loved.  It is this embrace that the body of Christ ought to have toward one another as we follow the prayer of Jesus in letting the world know we belong to Christ by the visible love for one another, shown by the way we care.

Today, how will you live with a vision of CARE?

Godly Vision – A Vision of HOPE! (Sermon Audio)
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Godly Vision – A Vision of HOPE! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the October 27, 2024 sermon, “A Vision of HOPE!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Zechariah 9

“But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more.  My mouth will tell of your righteousness, of your salvation all day long, though I know not its measure.”
Psalm 71:14-15 (NIV)

As God revealed Himself in Old Testament times to His chosen people, He often did so in visions seen by His prophets.  Zechariah was one of those prophets who was given a series of godly visions to share with God’s people of his time and with God’s people of today.  Today we continued a sermon series from the book of Zechariah as we consider how his godly vision should teach us now.  As we gaze into God’s Word, we find this Godly Vision looked forward to the coming of Jesus and the work He would accomplish through His life, death, burial, and resurrection.  As we return to God from wherever we are, we find He fills us with a vision of . . .

  • Hardship:  Zechariah 9:1-8

    • A vision begins at what my seem to be a strange place — a place of hardship.  Because trouble exists in the world, we can be certain we will face hardships of various kinds.  Yet, often without the hardships, we wouldn’t even consider our need for a hope that surpasses the best of what this world can offer.  It is in the hardships of life that we discover a God that never leaves nor forsakes us, a God who is dependable in all circumstances.  . 

  • Overcoming:  Zechariah 9:9-10

    • A vision of hope will include the ability to see how God has overcome, and how He will overcome.  When Jesus stated we would have trouble in this world, He went on to tell us to take heart because He has overcome the world.  It is in Jesus that we can overcome the hold of sin that kept us apart from God.  When the apostle Paul writes us being more than conquerors through Christ, he does so with an awareness that we can live with great hope because our failures need not define us.  

  • Promise:  Zechariah 9:11-13

    • A vision of hope includes not only a promise, but a relationship with the only One who is faithful in all of His promises.  We can live with hope in the midst of hardship, even as we struggle to overcome, because of God’s faithfulness to keep His promise that all who come to Him by faith He will not cast out.  While we benefit from the promise of God that Jesus would come and save His people from their sin, we also can cling to the promise of God that Jesus will one day return for those who are His.

  • Eternity:  Zechariah 9:14-17

    • A vision of hope is a vision of eternity as we place our hope in Jesus Christ.  This vision of eternity that is found in Christ helps us to understand that our current circumstances, good or bad, are not permanent but something better is coming.  It is in this steadfast hope that we can find the strength to endure all things for a little while because we will experience live with Christ forever.

 

Today, how will you experience HOPE?

Godly Vision – A Vision To BLESS! (Sermon Audio)
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Godly Vision – A Vision To BLESS! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the October 20, 2024 sermon, “A Vision To BLESS!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Zechariah 8

“As you have been an object of cursing among the nations, O Judah and Israel, so will I save you, and you will be a blessing. Do not be afraid, but let your hands be strong.” 
Zechariah 8:13 (NIV)

As God revealed Himself in Old Testament times to His chosen people, He often did so in visions seen by His prophets.  Zechariah was one of those prophets who was given a series of godly visions to share with God’s people of his time and with God’s people of today.  Today we continued a sermon series from the book of Zechariah as we consider how his godly vision should teach us now.  As we gaze into God’s Word, we find this Godly Vision looked forward to the coming of Jesus and the work He would accomplish through His life, death, burial, and resurrection.  As we return to God from wherever we are, we find He fills us with a vision to . . .

  • Believe:  Zechariah 8:1-6

    • A vision to bless calls for us to believe in people in the same manner in which God believes in us.  God calls us to Himself to be a blessing to the world not because He believes in our ability to do so, but because He believes in His ability to work through us.  When we believe in God’s ability to transform any person, we are better able to bless them. 

  • Love:  Zechariah 8:7-13

    • A vision to bless will result in a choice to love people with the same love which God has for us.  The love of God is poured out upon mankind in a manner which reflects His nature and His desire to bless us without regard to our worthiness.  It is our experience of God’s love which should lead us to bless others regardless of our view of their worthiness..  

  • Express:  Zechariah 8:14-17

    • A vision to bless will lead us to express God’s goodness to others.  When we believe in people and love people the way God believes in us and loves us, we find appropriate ways to express that belief and love.  There is something special and significant about an expressed blessing that lifts a person beyond themselves as they begin to see the potential which God has put in their life.  It is God’s expression of His love for us which ought to lead us expressing a blessing upon others.

  • Serve:  Zechariah 8:18-19

    • A vision to bless will result in a greater desire to serve God in the way we serve others.  Jesus made it clear through His words and His example that we rise to greatness when we choose to serve others.  In fact, Jesus says that the way we serve “the least of these, my brethren” is the way we serve Him.  While we may be tempted to “bless” others in the way we would want to be blessed, God gives us a vision to bless others as we serve them according to their need.

  • Sacrifice:  Zechariah 8:20-23

    • A vision to bless will be a costly decision of sacrifice, but one which is worth all that you might be asked to pay.  As we take on the nature of Jesus, we must consider the needs of others to be more important to us than our own.  As God’s children, we are called to be a blessing to the world and we do so when we are willing to sacrifice our own wants, desires, and even needs in order to see others blessed by God through us.

Today, how will you choose to BLESS?

Godly Vision – A Vision of TRUTH! (Sermon Audio)
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Godly Vision – A Vision of TRUTH! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the October 13, 2024 sermon, “A Vision of TRUTH!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Zechariah 7

“Jesus answered, ‘You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.’”  
John 18:37 (NIV)

As God revealed Himself in Old Testament times to His chosen people, He often did so in visions seen by His prophets.  Zechariah was one of those prophets who was given a series of godly visions to share with God’s people of his time and with God’s people of today.  Today we continued a sermon series from the book of Zechariah as we consider how his godly vision should teach us now.  As we gaze into God’s Word, we find this Godly Vision looked forward to the coming of Jesus and the work He would accomplish through His life, death, burial, and resurrection.  As we return to God from wherever we are, we find He fills us with a vision of . . .

  • Tradition:  Zechariah 7:1-3

    • A vision of truth will cause us to look at the traditions we hold on to.  Traditions can easily become either the holy grail which can’t be messed with or the scapegoat which ought to be removed at all cost.  While either of those extremes would be somewhat easy to identify and deal with, the truth of of traditions is generally a more complicated issue.  God’s desire is that we hold fast to the traditions of truth which are foundational in His Word while letting go of the traditions of our own which keep us from knowing real truth. 

  • Reality:  Zechariah 7:4-7

    • A vision of truth will lead us to look at the reality of our motives in responding to God’s Word.  When we continue to do something good when the motivation is all about pleasing our self, the result will be an unnatural and unexpected distance from God.  God always knows not just the reality of our actions, He knows the reality of why we do what we do and if it is to honor Him or self.  

  • Understanding:  Zechariah 7:8-10

    • A vision of truth will result in our seeking an understanding from God in regard to both the traditions we follow and the reality of why we observe them.  The truth of God’s Word always reveals the application of how we ought to treat others, especially those who are underserved, ignored, or abused.  God’s truth is for everyone and it is our responsibility as God’s children to have an understanding and practice which shares the good news of Jesus with all people.

  • Trouble:  Zechariah 7:11-12

    • A vision of truth will make known to us, and to those around us, that there will always be trouble present in this world.  When we are truthful with ourselves and with others, we communicate the trouble we have caused as well as the trouble we have experienced beyond our control.  While Jesus clearly teaches that trouble will be present in this world, there is  a greater trouble we must be aware of, and that is the trouble when we reject God and find ourselves on the receiving end of His wrath.  This trouble which will come upon all those who reject Jesus can be avoided as we surrender to Him and find ourselves welcomed into His kingdom on the day of judgment.

  • Hearing:  Zechariah 7:13-14

    • A vision of truth comes from a willingness and desire to hear the Word of God in a way that leads us to action.  The Bible makes it clear that “without faith it is impossible to please God.”  The good news is the Bible also states that “faith come by hearing and hearing comes through the Word of God.”  While the people of God refused to listen to Him and thus found themselves unheard when they cried out to God, we can learn from their error and choose to listen to God’s Word in a way which produces action in our life.

Today, how will you respond to TRUTH?