Sermons on Town:

Philippians 3 -The Importance Of Deeper Relationships

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jan 20, 2006

Through this passage, Paul is impressing on all believers the importance of building a deeper, more meaningful relationship with God.

Things That Keep Us From The Deeper Relationships 1. We are self-centered 2. We don’t spend time with each other 3. We don’t talk to each other READ PHILIPPIANS 3 (NKJV) A. Our Relationship with God. What is Paul telling us to do? • To seek a deeper relationship with God Christ as the ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:1-21, Philippians 3:12-18

Denomination: Baptist

Developing A Biblical Dream/Vision

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jan 20, 2006

The New Year is a time to make resolutions. Sometimes these promises grow out of aims or objectives. Let’s develop more than a yearly resolution, let’s develop a biblical dream or vision for our entire life.

The New Year is a time to make resolutions. Sometimes these promises grow out of aims or objectives. Let’s develop more than a yearly resolution, let’s develop a biblical dream or vision for our entire life. 1. Everyone should have a dream or vision for their life. Robert Browning the poet said, ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 29:18

Denomination: Baptist

When You Need A Fresh Dream

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jan 20, 2006

"Discipline your minds to look forward to the plans God has for you, so you can live purposefully to the coming of Jesus Christ" (I Peter 1:13, ELT).

1. Why you need to re-dream or re-vision. a. You have been defeated. "Daddy, don’t kill my dream" (Debbie, my Daughter). b. You are tired and drained of energy. c. Times have changed. d. You are frustrated with your life. You have lost the zest of life and twinkle in your eye. e. People ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 2:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Writing Your Dream/Vision

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Feb 1, 2006

“Vision . . . is a clear mental image of a preferable future, imparted by God to His chosen servants and is based upon an accurate understanding of God, self, and circumstance.” -George Barna, The Power of Vision

THREE ASPECTS OF VISION “Vision . . . is a clear mental image of a preferable future, imparted by God to His chosen servants and is based upon an accurate understanding of God, self, and circumstance.” -George Barna, The Power of Vision 1. God. Your vision comes from God, it is not thought up. 2. ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 23:7

Denomination: Baptist

What Pain Teaches You: Lesson 1: When Pain Comes

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Feb 13, 2006

Two kinds of pain. Physical pain. “Her pains came upon her” (I Sam. 4:19). Mental pain. “It was painful to realize the wicked purpose” (Ps. 73:16, ELT).

1. The most obvious observation, pain hurts! 2. Definition from Webster, (1) “Localized physical suffering associated with bodily disorder or disease or injury.” (2) Basic bodily sensation, induced by noxious stimulus, received by naked nerve endings, characterized by physical discomfort and ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 41:10

Denomination: Baptist

What Pain Teaches You: Lesson 2: The Problems Of Pain

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Feb 20, 2006

“If God were good, He would wish to make His creatures perfectly happy and if God were almighty He would be able to do what He wished. But the creatures suffer pain; therefore does God lack goodness or power, or both?” -C. S. Lewis

A. THREE MYTHS ABOUT PAIN 1. God’s children are not supposed to suffer pain. 2. If I hurt, there must be something wrong with me. 3. If I hurt, there must be something wrong with God. B. WHY PAIN? 1. “If God were good, He would wish to make His creatures perfectly happy and if God were ...read more

Scripture: Job 11:13-16

Denomination: Baptist

What Pain Teaches You: Lesson 3: What To Do In Pain

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Feb 20, 2006

“Dear brothers, is your life full of difficulties and temptations? Then be happy, for when the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow. So let it grow, and don’t try to squirm out of your problems. For when your patience is finally in full bloom

A. GOD IS NOT THE AUTHOR OF PAIN OR SUFFERING 1. God created a perfect man and placed Him in a perfect environment. 2. Pain and suffering are the consequences of living in a fallen world. “To the woman He said: ‘I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; In pain you shall bring ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-4

Denomination: Baptist

Ephesians: Wealth, Walk, And Warfare: Lesson 7

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Aug 24, 2009

The foundation of Spiritual Ministry.

A. THE FOUNDATION OF SPIRITUAL MINISTRY “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess, but be filled with the Spirit” (Eph. 5:18). 1. The verb is imperative; you are commanded to be filled. 2. The verb is linear. “Be filled continually” or “be filled repeatedly.” 3. There is ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Ephesians: Wealth, Walk, And Warfare: Lesson 8

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Aug 24, 2009

Putting on the full armor of God in preparation for spiritual victory.

A. INTRODUCTION: EPHESIANS 6 1. After becoming servants, we must also become soldiers. 2. The war of spiritual dimensions, “in the heavenlies” (v. 12). Paul is a prisoner, “in chains” (v. 20). 3. Sister book to Joshua, i.e., an outward battle for land, Ephesians an inward ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:12-20

Denomination: Baptist

More Than Conquerors: Lesson 1: Conquering Obstacles

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Aug 24, 2009

Joshua Conquered Jericho

A. WHAT ABOUT OBSTACLES? (JOHN 5:13- 6:26) 1. Everyone faces obstacles that seem insurmountable. Money, job, family issues, people, health, physical limitations, past failures, lack of courage and faith. 2. The biggest obstacles are usually within not without. a. ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Sent: The Missional Church

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Aug 24, 2009

How we as a church are to witness and lead someone to Christ.

A. OLD WORDS AND NEW WORDS • SAVED = Conversion, to lead someone to Christ, i.e., soul winning • WITNESS = share what Christ has done for me, i.e., testimony • CHURCH GROWTH = the results of evangelism Internal Growth = spiritual External Growth = members Transfer Growth = join church Biological ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 3: The Church Is Jesus

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Aug 31, 2009

The Church is a body that holds Christ.

A. INTRODUCTION 1. The emergent church says, “They like Jesus but not the church.” 2. What goes together? The Lone Ranger and Tonto, Laurel and Hardy, Laverne and Shirley, Dagwood and Blondie, Simon and Garfunkel. So, the church and Jesus go together. 3. A vast majority have ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-12

Denomination: Baptist

Today's New Journey

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Aug 31, 2009

You can’t change where you have come from, but you can change where you’re going.

Today’s New Journey Elmer L. Towns A. WE’RE ALL ON A JOURNEY 1. You can’t change where you have come from, but you can change where you are going. 2. Your future destination doesn’t need to be a carbon copy of your past, nor does God want it to be. 3. God wants to give you a new path and a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:13-14

Denomination: Baptist

Sent:the Missional Church

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Sep 1, 2009

Consumer Christianity and the Big Cross

A. THE CHURCH AT PHILIPPI 1. What was great about this church? a. Christ-centered. “For me, living is Christ” (Phil. 1:21, CSB). b. Partners with Paul. “I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you . . . because of your partnership in the gospel from the ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:3-21

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 2: Why I Believe In The Trinity

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jan 14, 2011

Exploring the foundation of our faith in the Trinity- God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

A. INTRODUCTION 1. We believe in the Trinity, “We affirm our belief in one God, infinite Spirit, Creator, and Sustainer of all things, who exists eternally in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. These three are one in essence but distinct in person and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:18

Denomination: Baptist