Sermons on Town:

(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

(Lesson 10) Mary Magdalene: Taught By Christ

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 10, 2003

Mary came to the garden to care for a corpse. When she saw Jesus, she hung on to His physical feet to renew the love she had for Him before the cross. In an encounter with Christ, she learned that she would relate to Him "in the Spirit" in the future.

A. INTRODUCTION 1. Women came to the tomb. "Very early in the morning they (the women (23:55) came early unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain other women with them" (Luke 24:1). 2. Mary Magdalene was the leader. She was mentioned first (Mark 16:1 and Matt. ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

(Lesson 11) Saul: Becoming A Follower Of Christ

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 10, 2003

Paul hated Christians, yet encountered Christ on the road to Damascus where his life was transformed. Paul received his commission from this experience.

A. BACKGROUND 1. Perfect birth. "Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews" (Phil. 3:5). 2. Perfect life. "As touching the law, a Pharisee . . . touching righteousness which is in the law, blameless" (Phil. 3:5,6). 3. Best teacher. ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:5-14

Denomination: Baptist

Family Faith Transfer: Train Up A Child (Lesson 9)

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 10, 2003

Series: Family Faith Transfer

A. INTRODUCTION 1. Example. “Once when some mothers were bringing their children to Jesus to bless them, the disciples shooed them away, telling them not to bother him. But when Jesus saw what was happening he was very much displeased with his disciples and said to them, ‘Let the children come to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:13-16

Denomination: Baptist

Facing The Goliath In Our Lives

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 11, 2003

"So Many Christians Never Achieve The Maximum Potential In Their Lives Because They Never Conquer The Thing That They Fear The Most."

"Facing the Goliath in our Lives" - I Samuel 17 So Many Christians Never Achieve The Maximum Potential In Their Lives Because They Never Conquer The Thing That They Fear The Most. - Jonathan Falwell 1. Introduction a. The Israelites feared the Philistine Giant because he seemed to be ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:1-46

Denomination: Baptist

Lessons From Cross Bearing

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 11, 2003

Simon was a man who came to worship at the Passover. His life was changed when he was forced to carry a cross up a hill.

A. INTRODUCTION (Mark 15:20-22 KJV) And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him. Simon was a man of color from Africa who came to worship at the Passover. His life was changed when he was forced to carry a cross ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:20-22

Denomination: Baptist

What Burns Your Heart?

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 11, 2003

"They said one to another, did not our hearts burn within us, while he talked with us by the way and while he opened to us the scriptures" (Luke 24:32).

A. INTRODUCTION ( Luke 24:13-21) On Easter Sunday afternoon, Jesus met two disciples who were returning home from Jerusalem. The reports of the empty tomb confused and discouraged them. Jesus explained to them the message of the resurrection. "They said one to another, did not our hearts burn ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-21

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 1: God's Call

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 11, 2003

Abraham’s Journey of Faith

A. INTRODUCTION 1. His faith. Abraham is the only one that God called His Friend. (II Chron. 20:7; Isa. 41:8; 2:23). Arabs called him El Kahil, i.e., the friend of God. Abraham’s faith made him closer to God than all others. 2. Father. Terah was a worshiper of idols (Joshua 24:2). Tradition said ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 2: Learning From Failure

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 11, 2003

Abraham’s Journey of Faith

A. INTRODUCTION 1. Abram was the Friend of God, also called A Man of Faith, but was also a man of failure. 2. God called Abram to the land. "Abram departed as the Lord had spoken to him" (12:4). But God didn’t call him to Egypt. (silence). 3. Two strengths. Two things reflected Abram’s ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 3: Choosing By Faith

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 11, 2003

Abraham’s Journey of Faith

A. INTRODUCTION: MATTHEW 13: 5-18 1. Nephew. "And Haran (Abram’s older brother) begat Lot" (Gen. 11:27). 2. Dependent on Abram. After Lot’s father died, Abram took the position of spiritual head over Lot. 3. Wealthy. Lot got the family inheritance after his father Haran died. Apparently a good ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:5-18

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 4: Faith That Makes You Fight

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 11, 2003

Abraham’s Journey of Faith

A. INTRODUCTION: GENESIS 19:1-24 1. Huge Opposition. "Four kings fought against five kings" (Gen. 14:9 ELT). The four kings from the Chaldees represented the largest known civilization. 2. Former Masters. The kings of the Jordan River Valley had formerly been in servitude. "Twelve years they ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 19:1-24

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 5: Waiting On God In Faith

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 11, 2003

Abraham’s Journey of Faith

A. INTRODUCTION: GENESIS 16:1-16 1. Promised Seed. "Now Sarai Abram’s wife bare him no children" (Gen. 16:1). "I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth" (13:16). "Look toward heaven, can you count the stars . . . so shall your seed be" (15:5). 2. Rejected alternative. "What wilt thou give ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 16:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 6: Renewed Promise

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 11, 2003

Abraham’s Journey of Faith

A. INTRODUCTION (Genesis 17:1-27) 1. Rebellion. What does the number 13 imply? "Abraham was eighty-six-years-old when Ishmael was born" (16:16 ELT). "When Abraham was ninety-nine-years-old, the Lord the Almighty appeared to him" (17:1). 2. Outside God’s will. What was God’s plan for Ishmael? "As ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 17:1-27

Denomination: Baptist