Sermons on Divine Delay:

Another Essential Christmas

Contributed by John Huyser on Jan 3, 2023

Compared to the other Gospels, John's version of the Christmas story is far more cosmic in scope and captures much of the Old Testament anticipation.

Building the day after Thanksgiving, more than any other holiday, the pending arrival of Christmas marks the start of a marathon. By the time December 25, Christmas Day, rolls around, Christmas Day, the finish line is in sight. Except this year, a well-timed blizzard forced us to pause. The ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-14

Roots Alive!

Contributed by Kathy Findley on Oct 25, 2003

The premise of this sermon is that sometimes there is much more disappointment in our hearts than hope! Advent’s message through the Prophet Isaiah is that hope is hidden deep within us, safe and secure, and is ready to burst forth in renewed life.

Advent II- Hope It was just this word of hope the people desperately needed to hear--the words that Isaiah wrote about the dry-looking stump with a green shoot growing out of it. The Israelites felt hopeless, in despair. The words Isaiah wrote told of that despairing and proclaimed that the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 11:1-10, Matthew 3:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

The Positive Side Of The Ten Commandments: The Eighth Commandment Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Nov 15, 2002

The hidden motive back of each commandment is worship. Since everything a Christian does should praise God, all of the Ten Commandments revolve around worshipping God.

EIGHTH COMMANDMENT “Thou shalt not steal” (Ex. 20:15). A. INTRODUCTION: HOW DOES GOD WANT US TO GET STUFF? 1. Work. How does God want us to get STUFF? “Let him that stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something good” (Eph. ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:15

Denomination: Baptist

God Bless You Sermon 3: Adding Value To Other People

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Nov 18, 2002

There are natural and supernatural blessings. We can add value to others by following five principles.

A. INTRODUCTION 1. Definition of blessing, “Adding value, or prospering.” DOES NOT MEAN 1. Not transforming or making new. It means, “making better.” 2. Not knowing God intimately. It means improving your life and services. 3. Not divine intervention. It means lifting your life to a higher ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:6

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 7: What We Believe About Salvation

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Feb 3, 2003

Series: Foundational Doctrines of the Faith

Salvation is divided into two sections, first what Christ did on the historic cross, i.e., salvation past; and second what Christ does for someone today, i.e., salvation present. The past is redemption, reconciliation, forgiveness and propitiation. The present is conversion, regeneration and ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:6-17

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

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

Faith On Trial

Contributed by David King on Sep 7, 2006

No matter the vagaries of life, no matter the turn of events, we have an anchor which holds our soul in life and ensures our stability."The Lord is our Refuge and Strength". Ps. 46:1

For believers, faith is the way of life. “The just shall live by faith” Rom. 1: 7. However whatever has to do with life has to be tested. Man designed and built a flying machine, but he would not entrust it with human life until each component has been tested. No drug is administered to any ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:8-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Three Christmas Gifts

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jan 25, 2005

Three Christmas Gifts: The gift of faith, hope, and love.

A. INTRODUCTION 1. The wise men brought three gifts, one from each representative. “They . . . fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh” (Matt. 2:11). 2. The three greatest gifts are not possession, money, or ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:11

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

Lesson 2: Why Pain

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Sep 30, 2014

What was God thinking to create pain? Why am I suffering? What shall I do now?

Where Is God When We Suffer? Lesson 2: Why Pain? A. VARIOUS KINDS OF PAIN 1. Acute pain comes on suddenly, localized, easily identified, severe, and can become chronic. 2. Chronic pain persists longer, not easily described, hard to ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:3

Denomination: Baptist

Why Does God Permit Evil On Babies At Birth?

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Feb 25, 2014

Why should children suffer from pain or loss?

A. INTRODUCTION 1. Thalidomide was introduced in 1957 and over 7,000 children were born without limbs (deformity). Forty percent died. 2. Birth problems, 1,500 deaths per 100,000 births. 3. Abortion. 4. Child starved and beaten by mother’s lover. 5. Birth Hypoxia, lack of oxygen at ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:15-16

Denomination: Baptist

Why Does God Permit Evil On Babies At Birth? Lesson 11 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 24, 2017

Life is a test to determine our response to God.

A. INTRODUCTION 1. Thalidomide was introduced in 1957 and over 7,000 children were born without limbs (deformity). Forty percent died. 2. Birth problems, 1,500 deaths per 100,000 births. 3. Abortion. 4. Child starved and beaten by mother’s lover. 5. Birth Hypoxia, lack of oxygen at birth leads ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:6

Denomination: Baptist

Why Pain? Lesson 2 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 25, 2017

Pain becomes our teacher when God wants to teach us something. Pain strengthens our faith in God.

A. VARIOUS KINDS OF PAIN 1. Acute pain comes on suddenly, localized, easily identified, severe, and can become chronic. 2. Chronic pain persists longer, not easily described, hard to identify. 3. Somatic or nociceptive pain, activation of pain receptors: i.e., cut, broken bones, tissue damage. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:7

Denomination: Baptist

God Is Good Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Dec 1, 2018

Thy name is good (Ps.52:9,54:6). i.e., powerful, majestic, awesome and pleasant(Ex.15:3, Jer.33:2, Is.42:8, Am.5:8). Wherever his name is declared and honored, he would bless that place(Ex.20:24). When God declared his name to Moses implied his characters are good (Ex.33:19,34:6).

Nahum 1 Introduction: Sennacherib’s general Rabshakeh challenged with a louder voice to Israel ‘which God can deliver you from my Hand’ in 722BC (2Ki.19:10-11). But within 100 years, the fall has come to Assyrians. Nahum, Habakkuk and Malachi are the three minor prophets talk about burden ...read more

Denomination: Methodist