Sermons on Town:

Lesson 4: How To Know There Is A God

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Feb 3, 2003

Series: Foundational Doctrines of the Faith

A. INTRODUCTION 1. Accepts. The Bible never tries to prove God, "In the beginning God created" (Gen. 1:1). 2. They want proof. We intuitively know there is a God, but that is not enough for others. 3. God took the initiative. "The light shined in darkness, and the darkness comprehended it not" ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:18-20

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 5: What We Believe About Christ

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Feb 3, 2003

Series: Foundational Doctrines of the Faith

A. THE INCARNATION – HIS MIRACULOUS BIRTH. 1. Incarnation. "And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us" (John 1:14). a. Implies a preexistence of Christ. b. Suggests some voluntary limitations. 2. The incarnation explains why Jesus was necessarily born of a virgin (Isa. 7:14). 3. ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:12-21

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 6: What We Believe About The Holy Spirit

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Feb 3, 2003

Series: Foundational doctrines of the Bible

A. WHO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT? 1. The Holy Spirit is God. More than one hundred names and titles of the Holy Spirit in Scripture describe Him in divine terms. a. God (Acts 5:4). b. Spirit of God (Gen. 1:2). c. Spirit of the Lord God (Isa. 61:1). 2. The personality of the Holy Spirit involves ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:13-14

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 7: What We Believe About Salvation

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Feb 3, 2003

Series: Foundational Doctrines of the Faith

Salvation is divided into two sections, first what Christ did on the historic cross, i.e., salvation past; and second what Christ does for someone today, i.e., salvation present. The past is redemption, reconciliation, forgiveness and propitiation. The present is conversion, regeneration and ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:6-17

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 8: How To Know You Are Saved

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Feb 3, 2003

Series: Foundational Doctrines of the Faith

A. INTRODUCTION 1. Why some people doubt their salvation. a. Sin. When they disobey God, they doubt their relationship to God. b. False doctrine. Some doubt because they believe the wrong things. c. Ignorance. Some doubt because they don’t know God’s Word. d. Never saved. Some doubt because ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:10-21

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 9: What We Believe About People

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Feb 3, 2003

Series: Foundational Doctrines of the Faith

A. WHO ARE PEOPLE? 1. The biblical view of people recognizes the existence of both a physical and spiritual aspect of their being. a. The material part of a person is the body. The Bible teaches that people have: (1) A created body (Gen. 2:7). (2) A physical body (I Cor. 15:38-40). (3) A body ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

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

Jonah Obeys God

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Dec 16, 2009

Jonah receives a second chance to obey God.

A. JONAH OBEYS GOD - 3:1-10 1. The God of the second chance. “The word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time” (3:1). Who Had a Second Chance? 1. Abraham after a lie to Pharaoh. 2. Jacob after deceiving his father. 3. Ten brothers after selling Joseph into ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 3:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Why Symbols Are Important

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Dec 16, 2009

What role Christian symbols play in society.

A. WHY SYMBOLS ARE IMPORTANT 1. Christmas is filled with symbols. The world’s symbols are Santa Claus, tinsel, Christmas trees, snow, sleigh bells, holly, mistletoe, and presents. Recently the world has added shopping, vacations, special movies and Christmas music. Why Christmas ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist