Sermons on Town:

Lesson 10: What We Believe About The Church

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Feb 3, 2003

Series: Foundational Doctrines of the Faith

A. THE LAW OF FIRST REFERENCE – FIRST MENTION OF THE CHURCH. “I will build my church” (Matt. 16:18) B. WHAT MAKES A GROUP OF CHRISTIANS INTO A CHURCH? 1. Ekklesia: a group of called-out ones. a. Called from their former life. b. Called for a purpose. 2. Definition: A church may be described ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:18

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 11: What We Believe About Eschatology

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Feb 3, 2003

Series: Foundational Doctrines of the Faith

A. INTRODUCTION 1. Eschatology literally means “the study of last things. 2. Two doctrineal sections of Eschatology. a. The study of God’s final judgments and the eternal state, Heaven and Hell. b. Future events on earth (Rev. 1:19). 3. Abuses in Eschatology. a. Date-setting. b. Making ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 1:19, Titus 3:12-13

Denomination: Baptist

Bring Three To Vbs

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Feb 4, 2003

It is not your responsibility to save souls; it’s your responsibility to share.

A. INTRODUCTION 1. Outreach. Why has God blessed Thomas Road Baptist Church for 46 years? 2. Inward focus. What is our greatest threat? "One of the most devastating things that happens in Church Growth is the shift from reaching out, to reaching in." 3. Intentional. Will evangelism come ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:28

Denomination: Baptist

Angels At Christmas

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Feb 4, 2003

What is the main purpose of angels? "Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation" (Heb. 1:14).

A. INTRODUCTION 1. Messengers for God. (The word angel means messenger). What is the main purpose of angels? "Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation" (Heb. 1:14). 2. There are several appearances of angels surrounding the birth of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:11-38

Denomination: Baptist

Resurrection Appearance: Thomas- Why We Doubt (Lesson 3)

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Feb 4, 2003

Series: Resurrection Appearance

INTRODUCTION: JOHN 20:24-29 What do we know about Thomas? Thomas was the 7th apostle called, and he had a twin brother, and served under Philip (Matt.10:3), managing the organization and administration of Jesus’ ministry. He was a detail man. Doubting Jesus. What will Thomas always be remembered ...read more

Scripture: John 20:24-29

Denomination: Baptist

Resurrection Appearance: Seeing Jesus On The Emmaus Road (Lesson 2)

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Feb 4, 2003

Series: Resurrection Appearance

WHY WE DON’T SEE THE LORD: LUKE 24:13-35 "Jesus himself began walking with them, but they were blinded and could not recognize Him" (Luke 24:15-16 ELT). Busy on our journey. "Two of them went that same day (Sunday) to a village called Emmaus" (24:13). Concerned about home. "They drew nigh unto ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35

Denomination: Baptist

Resurrection Appearance: John Believes (Lesson 1)

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Feb 4, 2003

Series: Resurrection Appearance

INTRODUCTION: JOHN 20:1-10 What a resurrection appearance of Jesus is not? Not just His Spirit. "Handle Me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see Me have" (Luke 24:39). Not just a vision. (Daytime). "Behold My hands and My feet . . . handle Me" (Luke 24:39). Not just a ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-10

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

Firstfruits Of All Thine Increase: Lesson 1-Tithe Your Talent

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jan 20, 2003

"All the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree is the Lord’s" (Lev. 27:30).

A. INTRODUCTION 1. What does the Lord expect from each one of us? The tithe. "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in Mine house, and prove Me now herewith, saith the Lord of Host, if I will not open you the windows of Heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Firstfruits Of All Thine Increase: Lesson 2-Tithe Your Time

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jan 20, 2003

"All the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree is the Lord’s" (Lev. 27:30).

A. INTRODUCTION 1. What does the Lord expect of us? The tithe. "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in Mine house, and prove Me now herewith, saith the Lord of Host, if I will not open you the windows of Heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 90:12

Denomination: Baptist

Firstfruits Of All Thine Increase: Lesson 3-Tithe Your Treasure

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jan 20, 2003

"All the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree is the Lord’s" (Lev. 27:30).

A. INTRODUCTION 1. What does God expect of you? Tithe. "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in Mine house, and prove Me now herewith, saith the Lord of Host, if I will not open you the windows of Heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:9-10

Denomination: Baptist

Mary – The Example Of A Godly Woman

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jan 20, 2003

Mary, the mother of Jesus, was a godly example throughout her life. Notice the characteristics of a true woman of God.

A. INTRODUCTION: LUKE 1:26-38; 46-56 1. Sixteen years. How old was Mary when Jesus was born? 2. She needed a Savior. What is our reaction to the claim Mary was born without sin? "My spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour" (1:47). B. HOW WAS MARY AN EXAMPLE OF A GODLY WOMAN 1. Mary was living a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Baptist

Fear At Christmas

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jan 30, 2003

Fear: What it is and how you can overcome it.

A. FEAR AT CHRISTMAS “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

Experiencing Renewed Vision (Lesson 5)

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jan 31, 2003

Series: What Happens When the Church Prays?

A. INTRODUCTION 1. Go everywhere. Where had Jesus told them to go? “Go ye into all the world” (Mark 16:15). 2. Evangelize. “What had Jesus told them to do? “Preach the gospel to every person” (Mark 16:15). 3. Followers in every nation. What results did Jesus expect? “Make disciples in every ...read more

Denomination: Baptist