Sermons on Delay:

(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

What Burns Your Heart?

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 11, 2003

"They said one to another, did not our hearts burn within us, while he talked with us by the way and while he opened to us the scriptures" (Luke 24:32).

A. INTRODUCTION ( Luke 24:13-21) On Easter Sunday afternoon, Jesus met two disciples who were returning home from Jerusalem. The reports of the empty tomb confused and discouraged them. Jesus explained to them the message of the resurrection. "They said one to another, did not our hearts burn ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-21

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 2: Learning From Failure

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 11, 2003

Abraham’s Journey of Faith

A. INTRODUCTION 1. Abram was the Friend of God, also called A Man of Faith, but was also a man of failure. 2. God called Abram to the land. "Abram departed as the Lord had spoken to him" (12:4). But God didn’t call him to Egypt. (silence). 3. Two strengths. Two things reflected Abram’s ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 4: Faith That Makes You Fight

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 11, 2003

Abraham’s Journey of Faith

A. INTRODUCTION: GENESIS 19:1-24 1. Huge Opposition. "Four kings fought against five kings" (Gen. 14:9 ELT). The four kings from the Chaldees represented the largest known civilization. 2. Former Masters. The kings of the Jordan River Valley had formerly been in servitude. "Twelve years they ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 19:1-24

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 6: Renewed Promise

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 11, 2003

Abraham’s Journey of Faith

A. INTRODUCTION (Genesis 17:1-27) 1. Rebellion. What does the number 13 imply? "Abraham was eighty-six-years-old when Ishmael was born" (16:16 ELT). "When Abraham was ninety-nine-years-old, the Lord the Almighty appeared to him" (17:1). 2. Outside God’s will. What was God’s plan for Ishmael? "As ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 17:1-27

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 9: Faith's Realization

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 11, 2003

Abraham’s Journey of Faith

A. INTRODUCTION: GENESIS 21:1-8 1. How long ago had God promised Abraham a son? Twenty-five years. "Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed out of Haran" (12:4). 2. How old was Abraham when Isaac was born? One hundred years old. "Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 21:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 11: Faith Tested

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 11, 2003

Abraham’s Journey of Faith

A. INTRODUCTION: GENESIS 22:1 1. What were the four great trials of separation in Abraham’s life? a. Family. "Get thee out of the country, and from thy kindred" (12:1). b. Lot/Nephew. "Separate thyself from me" (13:9). c. Ishmael. "Cast out this bondwoman and her son" (21:10). d. Isaac. "Take thy ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Nehemiah: Building And Battling

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 14, 2003

Nehemiah was the Persian king’s Cup Bearer. Even though he was a servant, he was trusted to be a leader.

A.INTRODUCTION (Nehemiah 1-6) 1.After the Babylonian captivity was over, two men helped restore the city of Jerusalem. a.Zerubbabel built the TEMPLE. b.Nehemiah built the WALLS. 2.This is the first of two lessons about Nehemiah (his name means comfort of the Lord) who was the Persian king’s Cup ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Characteristics Of A Good Mother

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 14, 2003

Many women throughout the Bible serve as great examples of godly mothers.

A. WHAT A GOOD MOTHER DID. EXODUS 2:1-10 1. She married right. "A man of the house of Levi . . . took to wife a daughter of Levi" (v.1). 2. She chose life. "The woman conceived and bare a son" (v.2). 3. She had eyes of faith. "She saw him, that he was a goodly child" (v.2). "By faith . . . ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 2:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

The Broken Body Of Jesus (Part 1)

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 14, 2003

"The Lord Jesus the same night in which He was betrayed took bread: and when He had given thanks, He break it, and said, ’Take eat; this is My body which is broken for you; this do in remembrance of Me’" (I Cor. 11:23).

"The Lord Jesus the same night in which He was betrayed took bread: and when He had given thanks, He break it, and said, ’Take eat; this is My body which is broken for you; this do in remembrance of Me’" (I Cor. 11:23). A. WHY BREAD IS A SYMBOL OF HIS DEATH 1. Death. "Except a corn of wheat fall ...read more

Scripture: John 6:35-56

Denomination: Baptist

Building Dynamic Faith: Lesson 4: Thinking The Unthinkable

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jun 23, 2006

God has promised to do the impossible in response to prayer. Let us recognize that throughout life, God has already done the humanly impossible. Realize God wants to do exceeding and abundantly beyond all that we ask or think.

A. STATEMENTS ON PRAYER BY JERRY FALWELL (as taught by Jonathan Falwell). 1. Prayer can do anything God can do . . . and since God can do anything, prayer is omnipotent. 2. “Nothing of eternal significance ever happens apart from prayer.” 3. “Faith begins where man’s power ends.” 4. There are ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33

Denomination: Baptist

How We Got Our Bible Lesson 3: What We Believe About The Bible

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jul 18, 2006

The Bible is the greatest in subject matter i.e., Jesus Christ, the greatest in influence on lives and nations, and it answers man’s greatest need: salvation.

A. THE BIBLE IS DESCRIBED AS THE GREATEST BOOK IN THE WORLD 1. It is the greatest in subject matter i.e., Jesus Christ. 2. It is the greatest in influence on lives and nations. 3. It answers man’s greatest need: salvation. B. EIGHT THEMES TO DESCRIBE THE BIBLE 1. Revelation – refers to the act ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:18

Denomination: Baptist

How We Got Our Bible Lesson 4: Arguments For God's Existence

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jul 18, 2006

Arguments for the existence of God.

1. The Bible does not attempt to prove God, but accepts His existence, i.e., “In the beginning God . . .” (Gen. 1:1). 2. “I could no longer disbelieve.” –Sheldon Vanauken -------------------------------- Five Self-Evident Truths (That do not need proof) 1. There is a God with complete power and ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:1

Denomination: Baptist

The Three Resp0nses To The Gospel

Contributed by Kenneth Trent on Oct 2, 2006

The three responses to Paul’s message in Athens are essentially the same as we see today.

THE THREE RESP0NSES TO THE GOSPEL “And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, while others said, "We will hear you again on this matter." So Paul departed from among them. However, some men joined him and believed.” Acts 17:32-34 NKJV The Athenian crowd seemingly enjoyed ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:32-34

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 1: Some Answers To Suffering

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Oct 6, 2006

“Behold, happy [is] the man whom God corrects; Therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty” (Job 5:17).

A. QUESTIONS AND RESPONSES 1. Human. Why do the innocent suffer? Answer: Sin. The answer Job’s friends gave. 2. Justify. What is the point in serving God if bad things happen? Answer: Can you keep your faith in a good, long, sovereign God when all around you fails? 3. Blame. What is God ...read more

Scripture: Job 5:17

Denomination: Baptist