Sermons on Town:

Philippians 3 -The Importance Of Deeper Relationships

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jan 20, 2006

Through this passage, Paul is impressing on all believers the importance of building a deeper, more meaningful relationship with God.

Things That Keep Us From The Deeper Relationships 1. We are self-centered 2. We don’t spend time with each other 3. We don’t talk to each other READ PHILIPPIANS 3 (NKJV) A. Our Relationship with God. What is Paul telling us to do? • To seek a deeper relationship with God Christ as the ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:1-21, Philippians 3:12-18

Denomination: Baptist

Developing A Biblical Dream/Vision

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jan 20, 2006

The New Year is a time to make resolutions. Sometimes these promises grow out of aims or objectives. Let’s develop more than a yearly resolution, let’s develop a biblical dream or vision for our entire life.

The New Year is a time to make resolutions. Sometimes these promises grow out of aims or objectives. Let’s develop more than a yearly resolution, let’s develop a biblical dream or vision for our entire life. 1. Everyone should have a dream or vision for their life. Robert Browning the poet said, ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 29:18

Denomination: Baptist

When You Need A Fresh Dream

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jan 20, 2006

"Discipline your minds to look forward to the plans God has for you, so you can live purposefully to the coming of Jesus Christ" (I Peter 1:13, ELT).

1. Why you need to re-dream or re-vision. a. You have been defeated. "Daddy, don’t kill my dream" (Debbie, my Daughter). b. You are tired and drained of energy. c. Times have changed. d. You are frustrated with your life. You have lost the zest of life and twinkle in your eye. e. People ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 2:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Writing Your Dream/Vision

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Feb 1, 2006

“Vision . . . is a clear mental image of a preferable future, imparted by God to His chosen servants and is based upon an accurate understanding of God, self, and circumstance.” -George Barna, The Power of Vision

THREE ASPECTS OF VISION “Vision . . . is a clear mental image of a preferable future, imparted by God to His chosen servants and is based upon an accurate understanding of God, self, and circumstance.” -George Barna, The Power of Vision 1. God. Your vision comes from God, it is not thought up. 2. ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 23:7

Denomination: Baptist

What Pain Teaches You: Lesson 1: When Pain Comes

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Feb 13, 2006

Two kinds of pain. Physical pain. “Her pains came upon her” (I Sam. 4:19). Mental pain. “It was painful to realize the wicked purpose” (Ps. 73:16, ELT).

1. The most obvious observation, pain hurts! 2. Definition from Webster, (1) “Localized physical suffering associated with bodily disorder or disease or injury.” (2) Basic bodily sensation, induced by noxious stimulus, received by naked nerve endings, characterized by physical discomfort and ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 41:10

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

The Prayer Of Healing

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Mar 29, 2006

“Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith

“Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise ...read more

Scripture: James 5:13-16

Denomination: Baptist

The Prayer Of Healing (Part 2)

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Mar 29, 2006

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith

A. WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT HEALING Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will ...read more

Scripture: James 5:13-17

Denomination: Baptist

Praying The Proverbs: Lesson 1: The Fool

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Mar 29, 2006

Do everything possible to get a fool out of your life. “Cast out the fool and contention will leave” (22:10). Paul says, “What part has a believer with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living Go

A. ABOUT PROVERBS 1. A proverb is a brief pithy saying or popular saying that encapsulates a practical truth in one or two lines. Notice “verb” is part of the word Proverbs suggesting action. 2. Purpose: “Apply your heart to knowledge so you will gain wisdom.” a. Knowledge: learning a lot of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:15-16

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 2: An Announcement Of Preparation

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jan 23, 2007

An important duty of angels is to bring messages. Their name means “messenger” (Heb. 1:14). They tell believers the good news and we must tell unbelievers.

A. ANGELS PREPARE ZECHARIAH: LUKE 1:5-25 1. Silence. There were 400 silent years when no voice or miracles were sent from heaven. Angels only appear in history when God re-directs His program. 2. A forerunner is predicted (Luke 1:11-14, 18-20, ELT), “Zechariah was in the sanctuary when an angel ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:5-25

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 3: The Angels Announce Christ's Birth

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jan 23, 2007

AN ANGEL ANNOUNCES TO JOSEPH

A. AN ANGEL ANNOUNCES TO JOSEPH 1. Joseph was not involved physically, but his emotions, reputation and outward life were severely influenced by Mary’s pregnancy. 2. A pregnancy cannot be long hidden. Who found out? “She was found with child” (Matt. 1:18). 3. Matt. 1:18-25, ELT. “When Mary was ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25, Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 4: Angels Protect Baby Jesus

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jan 23, 2007

“He who dwells in the secret place of prayer of the Most High, will abide in the protective shadow of the Almighty” (Ps. 91:1).

1. There were many attempts to kill Jesus before He went to the cross; and Herod killing the babies in Nazareth was one of them. (Killed maybe 20 babies). 2. This lesson shows the work of guardian angels. “These little ones . . . their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 1

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jan 23, 2007

All Christians should grow spiritually. “As new born babes desire the sincere milk of the Word that you may grow” (I Peter 2:2).

A. INTRODUCTION 1. All Christians should grow spiritually. “As new born babes desire the sincere milk of the Word that you may grow” (I Peter 2:2). 2. Non-growth is rejected by God. “You have been Christians a long time now, and you ought to be teaching others, but instead you have dropped back to ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 5:12-13

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 2: Assurance Of Salvation

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jan 24, 2007

The most basic fact of being a Christian: knowing you are saved.

A. INTRODUCTION 1. B-Rations stand for basic rations or Bible rations. 2. The most basic fact of being a Christian: knowing you are saved. 3. Why do people doubt their salvation? • Sin in their life. • Ignorance. • Disobedience to positive command. • False teaching. • Not saved. 4. If you are ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:12

Denomination: Baptist