Sermons on Town:

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

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

Lesson 1: Some Answers To Suffering

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Oct 6, 2006

“Behold, happy [is] the man whom God corrects; Therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty” (Job 5:17).

A. QUESTIONS AND RESPONSES 1. Human. Why do the innocent suffer? Answer: Sin. The answer Job’s friends gave. 2. Justify. What is the point in serving God if bad things happen? Answer: Can you keep your faith in a good, long, sovereign God when all around you fails? 3. Blame. What is God ...read more

Scripture: Job 5:17

Denomination: Baptist

Three Of The Greatest Emotions In Life

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 9, 2003

We have many emotions. These include fear, anger, excitement, loneliness, despair, and satisfaction. What emotions motivate you the most?

A. INTRODUCTION 1. We have many emotions. These include fear, anger, excitement, loneliness, despair, and satisfaction. What emotions motivate you the most ____________________________? 2. The three greatest emotions. Today’s lesson surrounds three of the greatest emotions: WHAT EMOTIONS What ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 137:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

(Lesson 1) Jacob: Motivated By Fear

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 10, 2003

Jacob wrestled all night with God and wouldn’t let Him go. Because of Jacob’s tenacity, God blessed him and changed his name to Israel, i.e., a Prince with God.

A. INTRODUCTION: GENESIS 32:22-32 What an encounter is not. 1. Not a greeting, i.e., when we talk to God. 2. Not a thought, i.e., when we meditate on God. 3. Not a meeting, i.e., our scheduled communion. 4. Not incidental, i.e., something we do every day. 5. Not an answer to prayer. B. WHAT ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 32:22-32

Denomination: Baptist

(Lesson 2) Gideon: A Weak Self-Image

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 10, 2003

Gideon was at the bottom of the social ladder and filled with self-doubt when he encountered God. Because of that experience, Gideon was able to drive the enemy out of his homeland.

A. INTRODUCTION: JUDGES 6:11-23 1. Poor. Gideon was the youngest son, of the poorest family, of the weakest tribe in Israel. "My family is poor in Manasseh, and I am least in my father’s house" (I Judges 6:15). 2. Weak Name. Gideon was also called Jerubbal (Baal fighter) after confronting idol ...read more

Scripture: Judges 6:11-23

Denomination: Baptist

(Lesson 3) Moses: His Face Shown

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 10, 2003

God said Moses was the meekest man on the face of the earth, yet Moses boldly asked to see God’s glory. When he saw the backside of God, his face shone for 40 days.

A. INTRODUCTION: EXODUS 33 and 34 What frustration drove Moses to seek and encounter God? 1. Murder. "Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, (Moses killed a guard) he sought to slay Moses" (Ex. 2:15). 2. Inability. "I am not eloquent" (Ex. 4:10). 3. Complained. "The people murmured against Moses" ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

(Lesson 4) Elijah: An Encounter Out Of Discouragement

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 10, 2003

Elijah ran into the desert because Queen Jezebel threatened to kill him. He encountered God, not in a mighty force to destroy the evil rule of Jezebel, but in a still, small voice to send Elijah back into service.

A. INTRODUCTION: I KINGS 19:3-18 1. Miraculous food. God provided for Elijah’s needs. "The ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook" (I Kings 17:6). 2. Miraculous source. "The barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:3-18

Denomination: Baptist

(Lesson 5) Isaiah: Destroyed Dreams

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 10, 2003

Isaiah put his dreams in a king who died, then he saw the Lord. That encounter changed him forever, and he became God’s prophet who wrote one of the most beautiful books in the Bible.

A. INTRODUCTION: ISAIAH 6:1-13 1. Spiritual prosperity. Uzziah was one of the great kings of Judah that restored the glory and power of David. "He did right in the sight of the Lord" (II Chron. 26:4). 2. Healthy prosperity. "Sixteen years old when he began to reign, and he reigned two and fifty ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

(Lesson 6) Jeremiah: Built Up For A Call To Service

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 10, 2003

God set Jeremiah apart for ministry from His mother’s womb. God later encountered 21 year-old Elijah to call him to a ministry of rejection and persecution.

A. INTRODUCTION: JEREMIAH 1:1-10 1. Father the High Priest. "Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah of the priests that were in Anathoth" (1:1). "They came to Hilkiah the high priest" (II Chron. 34:4). 2. Born in evil days. "Amon . . . did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord . . . sacrificed unto ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 1:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

(Lesson 7) Ezekiel: Seeking Visions For God

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 10, 2003

Ezekiel was a priest who was trained for Temple service, but he encountered God in a vision in which he saw extraordinary sights. Out of that encounter, he became a prophet who communicated a vision of Israel’s future Temple.

A. INTRODUCTION: EZEKIEL 1:1-28 1. Age 30. "In the thirtieth year . . . the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God" (1:1). 2. Occupations. "Ezekiel the priest" (1:3). 3. Birthday. "Take the sum of the sons of Kohath . . . from thirty years old and upwards" (Num. 4:2,3). 4. Captive. "I ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 1:1-28

Denomination: Baptist

(Lesson 8) The Woman With The Issue Of Blood Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 10, 2003

A woman thought a slight touch of the hem of Jesus’ coat would heal her, but she was encountered by Jesus to learn that it was her faith that made her whole.

A. WHY A TOUCH? 1. He should not touch her. She thought Jesus might become unclean if He healed her with a touch. "Whosoever toucheth her shall be unclean" (Lev. 15:19). 2. She should not touch Him. She didn’t want to touch Jesus, just His clothes. "When she toucheth . . . it shall be unclean" ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 15:19-31

Denomination: Baptist

(Lesson 9) Peter: A Backslider Restored To Service

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 10, 2003

Peter denied the Lord through boasting and pride. After breakfast on a beach, Jesus restored him to service and he became a bold preacher on the day of Pentecost.

A. PETER’S BACKSLIDING 1. Cause boasting. "I will lay down my life for thy sake" (John 13:37). 2. Jesus’ response warning. "Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily Verily, I say unto thee, the cock shall not crow till thou hast denied me thrice" (John 13:32). 3. Effort flesh. "Smote the ...read more

Scripture: John 13:32-37

Denomination: Baptist