Sermons on Home Town Tales:

Growing Up In Nazareth Lesson 7 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Sep 20, 2016

The Traits of Jesus. Develop Christlikeness by focusing on what Jesus learned and how He learned.

A. INTRODUCTION Your example is Jesus. “That you should follow His steps” (1 Peter 2:21). You can develop Christlikeness by focusing on what Jesus learned and how He learned. You can become like Jesus and develop a disciplined character as He did. Even though these lessons will ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:49-52

Denomination: Baptist

Why Some Verses Are Hard To Understand Lesson 1 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Feb 11, 2019

How to deal with difficult verses

A. INTRODUCTION: WHY SOME VERSES ARE HARD 1. Because God is truthful, He wrote a Bible that is truthful. Truth is consistent with its self, and correlates with reality (the laws of nature). 2. What appears to be a contradiction, has an explanation. 3. We won’t understand everything. Peter said ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:15-16

Denomination: Baptist

Why Must You Be In Church Every Sunday

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Feb 18, 2019

Church attendance helps demonstrate our obedience to Christ.

A. WHY MUST YOU BE IN CHURCH EVERY SUNDAY? 1. Because of the example of the early church. a. On the birthday of the local church everyone was present. “When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place” (Acts 2:1). Be present on September 16, 1971 at Thomas ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1

Denomination: Baptist

I Am Your Savior Lesson 2 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Nov 5, 2018

Why we need a Savior

Note: The Bible by Jesus will be used throughout this lesson unless otherwise noted after each Bible reference. A. INTRODUCTION: WHY A SAVIOR? 1. People were cut off from God – in darkness. “I am the life of God, who is the light to all” (John 1:4). 2. People love sin more than goodness and ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:8, John 1:4

Denomination: Baptist

Green Pastures And Still Waters Lesson 3 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Oct 22, 2018

Water keeps us alive, refreshes and cleanses

A. INTRODUCTION 1. What are our two greatest needs? a. Food, i.e., green pastures. b. Drink, i.e., still waters. 2. How can the Shepherd meet our needs? Relationship. B. LIE DOWN IN GREEN PASTURES 1. Why do sheep lie down? a. Natural. Standing people naturally want to lie down. b. Tired. The ...read more

Scripture: John 4:14

Denomination: Baptist

Naomi Lesson 2

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Nov 5, 2016

A Compromising Mother Becomes a Godly Grandmother

A. HOW NAOMI COMPROMISED 1. She compromised her spiritual priorities. a. Did not continue in difficulties. “A famine in the land” (Ruth 1:1). b. Enticed by the well-watered plains of Moab (1:1). c. Left the Promised Land. “Ephrathites of Bethlehem, Judah” (1:2). 2. She ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Joash Lesson 6 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Nov 5, 2016

A Good Grandson Comes from An Evil Grandmother

A. INTRODUCTION 1. Generational sins. “Visiting the iniquity of the fathers (or mothers) upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me” (Ex. 20:5). North South Ahab and Jezebel  Athaliah ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:5

Denomination: Baptist

Why The Cup? Lesson 5 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Nov 9, 2016

What spiritual meaning can we get from the cup?

“In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you . . . drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes” (1 Cor. 11:25-26). A. Why Grapes Are a Symbol of His Death 1. Symbols of fruitfulness. “This is ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:25-26

Denomination: Baptist

Grandma Naomi Influenced Generations Lesson 1 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Nov 1, 2023

Naomi had been a compromiser, but she became a woman of conviction.

A. HOW NAOMI COMPROMISED 1. She compromised her spiritual priorities. a. Did not continue in difficulties. “A famine in the land” (Ruth 1:1). b. Enticed by the well-watered plains of Moab (1:1). c. Left the Promised Land. “Ephrathites of Bethlehem, Judah” (1:2). 2. She compromised her ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:15, Ruth 4:14-15

Denomination: Baptist

Othniel: From Dominated To Domineering Lesson 2

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 23, 2024

Something happens to a man when he surrenders to God.

A. WHAT WAS THE PROBLEM? 1. “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (21:25). a. No spiritual leadership to give godly direction. b. No one preached God’s standard. “In his own eyes.” c. When left to themselves, they turned to sin … self … satan’s ...read more

Scripture: Judges 21:25

Denomination: Baptist

Why Must You Be In Church Every Sunday

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Sep 30, 2025

Attendance helps demonstrate our obedience to Christ.

A. WHY MUST YOU BE IN CHURCH EVERY SUNDAY? 1. Because of the example of the early church. a. On the birthday of the local church everyone was present. “When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place” (Acts 2:1). Be present on September 16, 1971 at Thomas ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1

Denomination: Baptist

Meeting God When Running Scared

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Oct 10, 2025

When a person is limited . . . threatened . . . and scared, he/she will listen to God and respond positively.

“Jacob left Beersheba in the desert and walked through the hills of Galilee. When the sun set and night descended, he laid down to sleep at that spot. He took a stone as his pillow and went to sleep. He dreamed and saw a ladder set on earth with its top reaching to heaven. There were angels ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 28:11-22

Denomination: Baptist

Naomi: A Bitter Woman Constantly Desiring Better, Ended Up A Nourisher Lesson 6 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jul 18, 2023

We can list Naomi’s mistakes, but we remember how God used her in spite of them.

A. HOW NAOMI COMPROMISED 1. She compromised her spiritual priorities. a. Did not continue in difficulties. “A famine in the land” (Ruth 1:1). b. Enticed by the well-watered plains of Moab (1:1). c. Left the Promised Land. “Ephrathites of Bethlehem" (Judah 1:2). 2. She compromised her ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 2:20, Ruth 4:14-15

Denomination: Baptist

Psalm 84 - Praying To Enjoy God's Presence Lesson 4 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jan 9, 2024

Enjoying God's presence.

A. FINDING GOD’S PRESENCE “I want you to enjoy coming into My presence in the tabernacle; and expressing your deep passion for the courts of My house. May your flesh cry out when you are not there. The sparrows are so comfortable in My presence that they make their nest within sight of My altar. ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Gideon: The Introvert Lesson 5

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 29, 2024

Little is much when God is in it.

A. THE FOURTH CYCLE OF OPPRESSION 1. Who persecuted Israel? Midianites. “The children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord . . . and He delivered them into the hand of Midian for seven years” (Judges 6:1). 2. Step-cousins. The Midianites were Ishmaelites. Both came from Abraham. ...read more

Denomination: Baptist