In Sermons: showing 1,111-1,125 of 1,214

Facing The Goliath In Our Lives

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 11, 2003

"So Many Christians Never Achieve The Maximum Potential In Their Lives Because They Never Conquer The Thing That They Fear The Most."

"Facing the Goliath in our Lives" - I Samuel 17 So Many Christians Never Achieve The Maximum Potential In Their Lives Because They Never Conquer The Thing That They Fear The Most. - Jonathan Falwell 1. Introduction a. The Israelites feared the Philistine Giant because he seemed to be ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:1-46

Denomination: Baptist

Family Faith Transfer: Train Up A Child (Lesson 9)

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 10, 2003

Series: Family Faith Transfer

A. INTRODUCTION 1. Example. “Once when some mothers were bringing their children to Jesus to bless them, the disciples shooed them away, telling them not to bother him. But when Jesus saw what was happening he was very much displeased with his disciples and said to them, ‘Let the children come to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:13-16

Denomination: Baptist

(Lesson 11) Saul: Becoming A Follower Of Christ

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 10, 2003

Paul hated Christians, yet encountered Christ on the road to Damascus where his life was transformed. Paul received his commission from this experience.

A. BACKGROUND 1. Perfect birth. "Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews" (Phil. 3:5). 2. Perfect life. "As touching the law, a Pharisee . . . touching righteousness which is in the law, blameless" (Phil. 3:5,6). 3. Best teacher. ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:5-14

Denomination: Baptist

(Lesson 10) Mary Magdalene: Taught By Christ

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 10, 2003

Mary came to the garden to care for a corpse. When she saw Jesus, she hung on to His physical feet to renew the love she had for Him before the cross. In an encounter with Christ, she learned that she would relate to Him "in the Spirit" in the future.

A. INTRODUCTION 1. Women came to the tomb. "Very early in the morning they (the women (23:55) came early unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain other women with them" (Luke 24:1). 2. Mary Magdalene was the leader. She was mentioned first (Mark 16:1 and Matt. ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

(Lesson 9) Peter: A Backslider Restored To Service

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 10, 2003

Peter denied the Lord through boasting and pride. After breakfast on a beach, Jesus restored him to service and he became a bold preacher on the day of Pentecost.

A. PETER’S BACKSLIDING 1. Cause boasting. "I will lay down my life for thy sake" (John 13:37). 2. Jesus’ response warning. "Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily Verily, I say unto thee, the cock shall not crow till thou hast denied me thrice" (John 13:32). 3. Effort flesh. "Smote the ...read more

Scripture: John 13:32-37

Denomination: Baptist

(Lesson 8) The Woman With The Issue Of Blood Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 10, 2003

A woman thought a slight touch of the hem of Jesus’ coat would heal her, but she was encountered by Jesus to learn that it was her faith that made her whole.

A. WHY A TOUCH? 1. He should not touch her. She thought Jesus might become unclean if He healed her with a touch. "Whosoever toucheth her shall be unclean" (Lev. 15:19). 2. She should not touch Him. She didn’t want to touch Jesus, just His clothes. "When she toucheth . . . it shall be unclean" ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 15:19-31

Denomination: Baptist

(Lesson 7) Ezekiel: Seeking Visions For God

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 10, 2003

Ezekiel was a priest who was trained for Temple service, but he encountered God in a vision in which he saw extraordinary sights. Out of that encounter, he became a prophet who communicated a vision of Israel’s future Temple.

A. INTRODUCTION: EZEKIEL 1:1-28 1. Age 30. "In the thirtieth year . . . the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God" (1:1). 2. Occupations. "Ezekiel the priest" (1:3). 3. Birthday. "Take the sum of the sons of Kohath . . . from thirty years old and upwards" (Num. 4:2,3). 4. Captive. "I ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 1:1-28

Denomination: Baptist

(Lesson 6) Jeremiah: Built Up For A Call To Service

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 10, 2003

God set Jeremiah apart for ministry from His mother’s womb. God later encountered 21 year-old Elijah to call him to a ministry of rejection and persecution.

A. INTRODUCTION: JEREMIAH 1:1-10 1. Father the High Priest. "Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah of the priests that were in Anathoth" (1:1). "They came to Hilkiah the high priest" (II Chron. 34:4). 2. Born in evil days. "Amon . . . did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord . . . sacrificed unto ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 1:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

(Lesson 5) Isaiah: Destroyed Dreams

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 10, 2003

Isaiah put his dreams in a king who died, then he saw the Lord. That encounter changed him forever, and he became God’s prophet who wrote one of the most beautiful books in the Bible.

A. INTRODUCTION: ISAIAH 6:1-13 1. Spiritual prosperity. Uzziah was one of the great kings of Judah that restored the glory and power of David. "He did right in the sight of the Lord" (II Chron. 26:4). 2. Healthy prosperity. "Sixteen years old when he began to reign, and he reigned two and fifty ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

(Lesson 4) Elijah: An Encounter Out Of Discouragement

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 10, 2003

Elijah ran into the desert because Queen Jezebel threatened to kill him. He encountered God, not in a mighty force to destroy the evil rule of Jezebel, but in a still, small voice to send Elijah back into service.

A. INTRODUCTION: I KINGS 19:3-18 1. Miraculous food. God provided for Elijah’s needs. "The ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook" (I Kings 17:6). 2. Miraculous source. "The barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:3-18

Denomination: Baptist

(Lesson 3) Moses: His Face Shown

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 10, 2003

God said Moses was the meekest man on the face of the earth, yet Moses boldly asked to see God’s glory. When he saw the backside of God, his face shone for 40 days.

A. INTRODUCTION: EXODUS 33 and 34 What frustration drove Moses to seek and encounter God? 1. Murder. "Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, (Moses killed a guard) he sought to slay Moses" (Ex. 2:15). 2. Inability. "I am not eloquent" (Ex. 4:10). 3. Complained. "The people murmured against Moses" ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

(Lesson 2) Gideon: A Weak Self-Image

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 10, 2003

Gideon was at the bottom of the social ladder and filled with self-doubt when he encountered God. Because of that experience, Gideon was able to drive the enemy out of his homeland.

A. INTRODUCTION: JUDGES 6:11-23 1. Poor. Gideon was the youngest son, of the poorest family, of the weakest tribe in Israel. "My family is poor in Manasseh, and I am least in my father’s house" (I Judges 6:15). 2. Weak Name. Gideon was also called Jerubbal (Baal fighter) after confronting idol ...read more

Scripture: Judges 6:11-23

Denomination: Baptist

(Lesson 1) Jacob: Motivated By Fear

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 10, 2003

Jacob wrestled all night with God and wouldn’t let Him go. Because of Jacob’s tenacity, God blessed him and changed his name to Israel, i.e., a Prince with God.

A. INTRODUCTION: GENESIS 32:22-32 What an encounter is not. 1. Not a greeting, i.e., when we talk to God. 2. Not a thought, i.e., when we meditate on God. 3. Not a meeting, i.e., our scheduled communion. 4. Not incidental, i.e., something we do every day. 5. Not an answer to prayer. B. WHAT ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 32:22-32

Denomination: Baptist

Three Of The Greatest Emotions In Life

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 9, 2003

We have many emotions. These include fear, anger, excitement, loneliness, despair, and satisfaction. What emotions motivate you the most?

A. INTRODUCTION 1. We have many emotions. These include fear, anger, excitement, loneliness, despair, and satisfaction. What emotions motivate you the most ____________________________? 2. The three greatest emotions. Today’s lesson surrounds three of the greatest emotions: WHAT EMOTIONS What ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 137:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Resurrection Appearance: John Believes (Lesson 1)

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Feb 4, 2003

Series: Resurrection Appearance

INTRODUCTION: JOHN 20:1-10 What a resurrection appearance of Jesus is not? Not just His Spirit. "Handle Me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see Me have" (Luke 24:39). Not just a vision. (Daytime). "Behold My hands and My feet . . . handle Me" (Luke 24:39). Not just a ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-10

Denomination: Baptist