Sermons on Safe Towns:

Lesson 1: How God Leads Through Scriptures

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Aug 8, 2007

The Bible is God’s book, it brings me to God.

Lesson 1: How God Leads Through Scripture A. WHAT DOESN’T WORK 1. Sitting on a rock by a lake waiting for God to speak. Christianity is a relationship and you learn from God in similar ways that you learn from others. 2. Name it, claim it, saying what you want God to do, so it will ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:8

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 2: How God Leads Through Prayer

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Aug 8, 2007

When prayer is wrong.

Lesson 2: How God Leads Through Prayer A. WHEN PRAYER IS WRONG 1. Can’t pray to make something right, that is wrong. 2. Can’t pray to force your will on God. 3. Can’t pray to make the impossible happen. Can’t make yesterday, not happen. 4. Can’t pray for God to do what He expects us to do. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:10

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 3: How God Leads Through Good Counsel

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Aug 9, 2007

Good counseling can help us find God’s leading in our life.

Lesson 3: How God Leads Through Good Counsel A. INTRODUCTION Thesis: Good counseling can help us find God’s leading in our life. “In the multitude of counselors there is wisdom” (Prov. 11:14). “Without counsel purposes are disappointed, but in the multitude of counselors they are ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 11:14

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 4: How God Leads Through Circumstances

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Aug 9, 2007

12 ways to look at circumstances.

Lesson 4: How God Leads Through Circumstances A. 12 WAYS TO LOOK AT CIRCUMSTANCES 1. God works His plan through things. “All things work together for good” (Rom. 8:28). 2. God works His plan behind the scenes, when people don’t realize He’s at work. “You thought evil . . . God meant it for ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 5: How Inner Leading Of The Spirit Works

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Aug 9, 2007

10 things God uses to lead us.

Lesson 5: How Inner Leading of the Spirit Works A. INTRODUCTION 1. OTHER NAMES: a. Inner voice. b. The Lord told me. c. The Lord led me. d. God spoke to me. e. Internal leading. f. Forbidden of the spirit (Acts 16:6-7). g. Inner light (Quaker). 2. BIBLICAL BASIS: “Led by the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:14

Denomination: Baptist

The Miracles In John: Lesson 1: Introduction

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Sep 20, 2005

THE EIGHT MIRACLES OF JOHN

A. Why are there four gospels? To tell a complete story of Jesus. B. Why does Mark have the most miracles? To show a powerful servant. C. Why does John have the fewest miracles? Each has an explanation. D. John is a Jewish mystic who uses ¡§7¡¨ in his writings. There are ¡§7¡¨ miracles in John plus ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 1: Learned From Parables

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Mar 20, 2007

Stewardship is our proper management of time, talent and treasure for the glory of God” –Definition from Developing a Giving Church

A. Luke 19:12-26 Stewardship is our proper management of time, talent and treasure for the glory of God” –Definition from Developing a Giving Church 1. God owns everything. He is the nobleman who owns the money, the servants, the farm, and the increase from the work of the servants. 2. God ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:12-26

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 4: The Best And Worst Of Times

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Nov 13, 2006

The top ten Best and Worst of Times in regards to Christ’s return.

A. THE TOP TEN BEST OF OUR TIMES 1. More people to reach for Christ. “Most assuredly, I say to you . . . the works that I do he will do also; and greater [works] than these he will do, because I go to My Father” (John 14:12). 2. Easier travel from any place to all places. “Many shall run to and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:9

Denomination: Baptist

What Pain Teaches You: Lesson 2: The Problems Of Pain

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Feb 20, 2006

“If God were good, He would wish to make His creatures perfectly happy and if God were almighty He would be able to do what He wished. But the creatures suffer pain; therefore does God lack goodness or power, or both?” -C. S. Lewis

A. THREE MYTHS ABOUT PAIN 1. God’s children are not supposed to suffer pain. 2. If I hurt, there must be something wrong with me. 3. If I hurt, there must be something wrong with God. B. WHY PAIN? 1. “If God were good, He would wish to make His creatures perfectly happy and if God were ...read more

Scripture: Job 11:13-16

Denomination: Baptist

What Pain Teaches You: Lesson 3: What To Do In Pain

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Feb 20, 2006

“Dear brothers, is your life full of difficulties and temptations? Then be happy, for when the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow. So let it grow, and don’t try to squirm out of your problems. For when your patience is finally in full bloom

A. GOD IS NOT THE AUTHOR OF PAIN OR SUFFERING 1. God created a perfect man and placed Him in a perfect environment. 2. Pain and suffering are the consequences of living in a fallen world. “To the woman He said: ‘I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; In pain you shall bring ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-4

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 6: The Coming Cultural Earthquake

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Nov 27, 2006

Don’t reject God who has spoken to us in the Word. Those who rejected God in the past did not escape His punishment, and you also will not escape if you do not listen and obey. God’s message is like an earthquake, because He promised, “Next time, I will

Hebrews 12:15-18 Don’t reject God who has spoken to us in the Word. Those who rejected God in the past did not escape His punishment, and you also will not escape if you do not listen and obey. God’s message is like an earthquake, because He promised, “Next time, I will shake not only the earth, ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:15-18

Denomination: Baptist

When The Brook Dries Up

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Aug 21, 2003

We’ve all been in a place where the "brook" dried up and God moved us on to another place. There are many lessons to be learned beside the brook.

A. INTRODUCTION “And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, ‘As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.’ And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, ‘Get thee hence, and turn ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 17:1-9, 1 Kings 17:24

Denomination: Baptist

The Bible And Retirement: Lesson 1: The Seasons Of Life

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Sep 1, 2003

Series: The Bible and Retirement

A. INTRODUCTION Winter: The farmer planning and dreaming. Spring: Cultivating the soil and planting. Summer: Working and growing toward success. Fall: Harvesting the fruits of life. THREE MISSED OPPORTUNITIES 1. Rejecting the season you are in. Always dreaming of the lazy, hazy days of summer. 2. ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

The Bible And Retirement: Lesson 2: The Seasons Of Life

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Sep 15, 2003

Series: The Bible and Retirement

A. INTRODUCTION - REVIEW 1. Winter – Dreams and planning (childhood). 2. Spring – Planting and preparation (youth). 3. Summer – Growth and hard work (adult). 4. Autumn – Harvest and enjoying the fruits of your work (retirement). B. PERSONAL JOURNEY THRU THE SEASONS 1. The direction is the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:4-8

Denomination: Baptist

The Bible And Retirement: Lesson 3: Growing Through The Seasons

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Sep 15, 2003

Series: The Bible and Retirement

A. INTRODUCTION B. REVIEW OF FOUR SEASONS 1. Winter – Dreams and planning (childhood). 2. Spring – Planting and preparation (youth). 3. Summer – Growth and hard work (adult). 4. Autumn – Harvest and enjoying the fruits of your work (retirement). C. CONTINUATION 5.Each season has varying ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:28

Denomination: Baptist