Sermons on Safe Towns:

Lesson 4: Moses' Excuses

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Aug 30, 2011

What excuses do you give to God?

A. INTRODUCTION 1. “Every vice has its excuse ready.” 2. “He that is good at making excuses is seldom good at anything else.” 3. “If you don’t want to do something, one excuse is as good as another.” 4. “We have 40 million reasons for failure, but ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 6: How Failure Leads To Faith

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Aug 30, 2011

Our response to failure and disappointment will determine our success in life.

A. INTRODUCTION: OUR RESPONSE TO FAILURE AND DISAPPOINTMENT WILL DETERMINE OUR SUCCESS IN LIFE: EXODUS 4:29-31 1. Moses gathered the elders to present his credentials. a. Aaron faithfully delivered God’s message. “And Aaron spoke all the words which the LORD had spoken to Moses” ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 4:29-31

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 2: What About Imprecatory Psalms?

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Sep 1, 2011

How to pray for and fight against enemies.

A. Introduction: 1. Imprecatory means judgment, i.e., asking God to punish, kill, and throw into hell (Psalm 2, 37, 69, 70, 109, 143). 2. David throws them into hell. “Let Satan the accuser stand at his right hand . . . let his days be few. . . let his children be fatherless, and let his ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:9

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 10: Facing And Overcoming Major Problems

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Sep 1, 2011

Our greatest problems come after our greatest victories.

A. INTRODUCTION: FACING PROBLEMS - EXODUS 13:17 TO 15:1 1. Our greatest problems come after our greatest victories. From deliverance from Egypt to imminent destruction at the Red Sea. “The Egyptians pursued them, all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, his horsemen and his army, and ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Answering Difficult Bible Passages

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Mar 21, 2011

How to understand and explain difficult Bible passages.

A. INTRODUCTION: YOUR ATTITUDE TOWARD DIFFICULTIES 1. Because a verse is difficult does not mean the Bible is contradictory, nor should you doubt God’s Word. 2. You can’t know everything, only God knows everything, so trust Him. “The secret things belong unto the Lord our ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 22:29

Denomination: Baptist

Non-Biblical Passages

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Mar 21, 2011

Common "sayings" that are not found in Scripture.

A. INTRODUCTION 1. Many think these “sayings” are quoted from Scripture, but they are just not there. However, they have biblical truths taught (a) in principle, or (b) application. 2. Some wrongly apply some of these “sayings.” 3. Condition: become a man/woman of the ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 29:15

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 4: Overcoming Doubts About Your Salvation

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 16, 2010

Examining why we have doubts regarding our salvation.

A. WHY DO WE HAVE DOUBTS? 1. SIN: Your disobedience raises questions about your relationship with God. 2. IGNORANCE: If you don’t know God’s direction, you may question if you’re on the correct path. 3. HERESY: If you think you can’t sin, you deny the experience of ...read more

Scripture: Romans 7:19

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 1: Getting Ready

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 23, 2010

A outline and description for properly following the Daniel Fast.

A. INTRODUCTION 1. A fast is a discipline in the spiritual realm, like training in sports to gain (a) strength, (b) skill, and (3) victory. 2. Like prayer, a fast is relationship with God. 3. Old Testament requirement. “On the tenth day of the seventh month of each year, you must go ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 16:29

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 1: Why I Believe In God

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 30, 2010

Understanding the basic belief and teaching of Christ.

A. INTRODUCTION: ONCE UPON A TIME A PERSON WAS LOST IN SPACE . . .” He came upon the largest pile of bricks ever known. Where did it come from? Why is it here? What should he do? 1. Study it – a scientist. 2. Worship it – an heathen idol maker. 3. Ignore it – ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:18-21

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 4: I Am The Good Shepherd

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Sep 1, 2006

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep”(John 10:11).

A. INTRODUCTION “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep”(John 10:11). 1. What is a shepherd? One who takes care of the heep. a. It is the owner. “His own sheep” (John 10:4). b. A son of an owner. “Jesse said . . . there remaineth the youngest,he keepeth the sheep” ...read more

Scripture: John 10:11

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 5: I Am The Resurrection And The Life

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Sep 1, 2006

“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live’” (John 11:25).

A. INTRODUCTION “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live’” (John 11:25). 1. Jesus told Martha, “I Am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25). a. Shows our great attachment to the body. b. She expected a resurrection in ...read more

Scripture: John 11:25

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 6: I Am The Way, The Truth, And The Life

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Sep 1, 2006

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me’” (John 14:6).

A. INTRODUCTION “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me’” (John 14:6). 1. The article “the” points out the only one. 2. The clause “no one” excludes any other possibility. 3. The “I Am” identifies Jesus as deity. 4. The way – how ...read more

Scripture: John 14:6

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 7: I Am The Vine

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Sep 22, 2006

“I am the vine, you [are] the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).

“I am the vine, you [are] the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). A. THE VINE IN THE OLD TESTAMENT 1. Israel was God’s vineyard. “The vineyard of the Lord of Hosts is the house of Israel” (Isa. 5:7). 2. God did everything ...read more

Scripture: John 15:5

Denomination: Baptist

The Miracles In John: Lesson 8: Raising Lazarus From The Dead

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Nov 17, 2005

World says seeing is believing, but God says the opposite; believing is seeing. “If you would believe, you would see the glory of God” (11:40).

1. When did this miracle occur? Winter after Purim, December (John 10:22) and before Passover (John 11:55). 2. Where did the miracle occur? Bethany, east of Jerusalem (11:1). 3. Why does Jesus wait? “When He (Jesus) had heard . . . He abode two days in the same place” (11:6). • Our agendas are not ...read more

Scripture: John 11:4-55

Denomination: Baptist

The Miracles In John: Lesson 7: The Man Born Blind

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Nov 17, 2005

“Neither this man nor his parents, sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him” (9:3).

A. INTRODUCTION: JOHN 9 1. Where did the action take place? Temple entrance. “As Jesus passed by” (9:1). a. Blind could not enter Temple. b. Normally begged. 2. What was the background? Crisis. “They (the Jews) took up stones to cast at him” (8:59). Aorist active subjunctive, i.e., some had ...read more

Denomination: Baptist