Sermons on Town:

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

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