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

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

Lesson 4: I Am The Good Shepherd

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Sep 1, 2006

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep”(John 10:11).

A. INTRODUCTION “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep”(John 10:11). 1. What is a shepherd? One who takes care of the heep. a. It is the owner. “His own sheep” (John 10:4). b. A son of an owner. “Jesse said . . . there remaineth the youngest,he keepeth the sheep” ...read more

Scripture: John 10:11

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 5: I Am The Resurrection And The Life

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Sep 1, 2006

“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live’” (John 11:25).

A. INTRODUCTION “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live’” (John 11:25). 1. Jesus told Martha, “I Am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25). a. Shows our great attachment to the body. b. She expected a resurrection in ...read more

Scripture: John 11:25

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 6: I Am The Way, The Truth, And The Life

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Sep 1, 2006

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me’” (John 14:6).

A. INTRODUCTION “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me’” (John 14:6). 1. The article “the” points out the only one. 2. The clause “no one” excludes any other possibility. 3. The “I Am” identifies Jesus as deity. 4. The way – how ...read more

Scripture: John 14:6

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

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

The Miracles In John: Lesson 5: Feeding The 5000

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Oct 25, 2005

Principles and key ideas to learn from the miracle of feeding the five thousand

A.INTRODUCTION: JOHN 6:1-14 1. When did this miracle occur? Spring time. “The Passover, a feast for the Jews, was near” (v. 4). 2. Who was involved? Mostly men. “Three times a year all your males shall appear before the Lord your God . . . at the feast of the unleavened bread” (Deut. 16:16). ...read more

Scripture: John 6:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

The Miracles In John: Lesson 6: Calming The Storm

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Nov 3, 2005

“Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it” (Heb. 12:11).

“Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone. Now when evening came, His disciples went down to the sea, got into the boat, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was already dark, and ...read more

Scripture: John 6:15-21

Denomination: Baptist

The Miracles In John: Lesson 8: Raising Lazarus From The Dead

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Nov 17, 2005

World says seeing is believing, but God says the opposite; believing is seeing. “If you would believe, you would see the glory of God” (11:40).

1. When did this miracle occur? Winter after Purim, December (John 10:22) and before Passover (John 11:55). 2. Where did the miracle occur? Bethany, east of Jerusalem (11:1). 3. Why does Jesus wait? “When He (Jesus) had heard . . . He abode two days in the same place” (11:6). • Our agendas are not ...read more

Scripture: John 11:4-55

Denomination: Baptist

The Miracles In John: Lesson 7: The Man Born Blind

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Nov 17, 2005

“Neither this man nor his parents, sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him” (9:3).

A. INTRODUCTION: JOHN 9 1. Where did the action take place? Temple entrance. “As Jesus passed by” (9:1). a. Blind could not enter Temple. b. Normally begged. 2. What was the background? Crisis. “They (the Jews) took up stones to cast at him” (8:59). Aorist active subjunctive, i.e., some had ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Miracles In John: Lesson 9: Miracles Of The 153 Fish

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Nov 17, 2005

“without Me you can do nothing” in John 15:5 is seen here. “With Christ we can do all things” (Phil. 4:13). The presence of Christ in our lives makes the difference.

1. Where did the miracle take place? Near Tiberias (John 6:1). 2. Name all the disciples in verse 2 (Peter, Thomas the Twin, Nathanael, James, John, Andrew and Philip (John 1:40, 43-44). 3. Why did Peter say, “I go a fishing?” Note the four possible answers: a. Peter was the ring leader. b. He ...read more

Scripture: John 21:1-11

Denomination: Baptist