Sermons on Town:

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

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 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

Palm Sunday

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 17, 2006

"The next day a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out: ‘Hosanna! ‘Blessed [is] He who comes in the name of the Lord! The King of

“The next day a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out: ‘Hosanna! ‘Blessed [is] He who comes in the name of the Lord! The King of Israel!’ Then Jesus, when He had found a ...read more

Scripture: John 12:12-19

Denomination: Baptist

Praying The Proverbs: Lesson 2: The Trollop And The Scoffer

Contributed by Elmer Towns on May 3, 2006

“For all that is in the world the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” (I John 2:16 “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18, KJV)

A. WHO IS THE TROLLOP? 1. Webster, “A slovenly, dirty woman, a sexually promiscuous woman, a prostitute.” 2. Trollop came from troll. “To fish by moving the line in water working it up and down, or trailing behind a boat.” A troll is used to catch fish, a trollop catches men. 3. Synonyms: slut, ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 16:18

Denomination: Baptist

Bulding Dynamic Faith: Lesson 1: Developing A Dream

Contributed by Elmer Towns on May 3, 2006

“I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places plain, and the cracked places made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together” (Excerpt

A. WHAT I WANT YOU TO LEARN! 1. Understand the difference between a biblical dream and a passing fancy or fleshly desire. 2. Examine your past dreams to find the dream God has for you. 3. Write down a concise dream statement for your life. B. INTRODUCTION 1. Dictionary definition: “To conceive ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:3-4

Denomination: Baptist

Building Dynamic Faith: Lesson 2: Praying With Big Faith

Contributed by Elmer Towns on May 3, 2006

“Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him” (I John 5:14-15).

A. WHAT I WANT YOU TO LEARN! 1. Understand where and how to develop your faith. 2. To be encouraged and motivated to grow your faith. 3. To apply faith principles to your prayers so God can move mountains – problems in your life. B. INTRODUCTION 1. Growing in faith is expected. “As newborn ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:17

Denomination: Baptist

Thoughts On Church Membership

Contributed by Bill Towns on May 5, 2006

What is "church membership" all about? What does it mean? "Just who is a member?"

SERIES: GENERAL TITLE : THOUGHTS ON CHURCH MEMBERSHIP SCRIPTURE: 1 CORINTHIANS 12:12FF INTRODUCTION: Most of us, for the most part, do not like to be alone all the time. We like being a part of something. Whether that is a group activity or being where other people are, we like being a part of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12-31

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Building Dynamic Faith: Lesson 3: The Prayers Of Many

Contributed by Elmer Towns on May 15, 2006

The Christian life is relationships: first with God and second with people.

A. WHAT I WANT YOU TO LEARN! 1. That two people praying together is both powerful and practical to get answers to prayers. 2. To get a burden to begin praying with a prayer partner who challenges you to pray for even bigger things. 3. Apply the power of agreement-prayer to see God actively work ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:9

Denomination: Baptist