Sermons on Town:

Three Christmas Gifts

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jan 25, 2005

Three Christmas Gifts: The gift of faith, hope, and love.

A. INTRODUCTION 1. The wise men brought three gifts, one from each representative. “They . . . fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh” (Matt. 2:11). 2. The three greatest gifts are not possession, money, or ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:11

Denomination: Baptist

Prayer In 2005

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jan 25, 2005

Praying in the new year.

1. Desperate prayers. “Lord, help me” (Matt. 15:25). - How: No preparation, no formula, just a sincere call. - Who: Those who are in trouble. “This poor man cried and the Lord delivered him out of all his trouble” (Psa. 34:6). - Why: Because the Lord will help. “The Lord also will . . . be a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:19

Denomination: Baptist

New Year's Commitment

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Feb 14, 2005

New Year’s Commitment

A. NEW YEAR’S COMMITMENT 1. The greatest challenge of the new year . . . new beginning. A new year gives us an opportunity to start over. A new job means a challenge to do better than the last job. They don’t know your past weaknesses, and failures. a. A new year is a chance to live better than ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 2:18

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

Candles Teach Us About Mothers

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Sep 14, 2004

Mothers Day: Candles Teach Us About Mothers

A. KINDS OF CANDLES - Atmospheric candles to create a mood. Some mothers’ attitudes permeate the house with their godliness and goodness. - Candles to celebrate. Some mothers celebrate the life and passage of events with meaning, i.e., Christmas, weddings, anniversaries. - Food candles that create ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 31:18

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

The Miracles In John: Lesson 2: John 2:1-11

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Oct 6, 2005

As the second lesson on the series of the Miracles in John, this sermon details John 2:1-11.

1. When did the miracles happen? On the seventh day. Day 1: ¡§The Pharisees question John the Baptist¡¨ (1:19-28). Day 2: ¡§The next day John saw Jesus coming¡¨ (1:29). Day 3: ¡§The next day John stood with two of his disciples¡¨ (1:35). Day 4: ¡§The day following . . . Jesus found Philip¡¨ ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Miracles In John: Lesson 4: Healing A Crippled Man At Bethesda

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Oct 20, 2005

John’s purpose is belief. John doesn’t include 50 weeks of Jesus’ life to include events to motivate belief. “These things (signs) are written that ye might believe” (20:31).

A. INTRODUCTION: JOHN 5:1-18 1. Springtime and Passover. “There was a feast of the Jews and Jesus went up” (John 5:1). 2. John’s purpose is belief. John doesn’t include 50 weeks of Jesus’ life to include events to motivate belief. “These things (signs) are written that ye might believe” (20:31). 3. ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-18

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