Sermons on Town:

The Seven I Ams Lesson 3: I Am The Door

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jul 19, 2006

The Seven I AMs of Jesus

“I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture” (John 10:9). 1. Definition: (a) A passage into a room, Jesus is the way into Heaven, (b) A barrier usually turning on a hinge. Jesus keeps out those who will not believe. (c) An opportunity, i.e., ...read more

Scripture: John 10:9

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 5: How To Test The Spirits

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Dec 6, 2006

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

A. TEN THINGS WE CAN KNOW ABOUT ERROR “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:1-6, Ezekiel 8:1-17

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

The Bible And Retirement: Lesson 5: Playing To Win

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Aug 30, 2004

Series: The Bible and Retirement

A. THE END OF THE GAME IS RETIREMENT 1. Retirement doesn’t happen at a chronological age, but at your age of choice. Retirement should be dreamed, planned, and worked for, then enjoyed. 2. Life is a journey to retirement. - You are gonna get in the game whether you want to or not. - You are in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Denomination: Baptist

40 Days Of Purpose: Week 1 – What On Earth Am I Here For?

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Aug 30, 2004

“It’s not about you.” -Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life

A. THE CONSEQUENCES OF NOT KNOWING YOUR PURPOSE 1. Without knowing your purpose, life will seem tiresome. “The sun still rises and it still goes down . . . the wind blows . . . round and round and back again. Every river flows into the sea . . .[then] the water returns to where the rivers began, ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:10

Denomination: Baptist

40 Days Of Purpose: Week 2 – Worship: You Were Planned For God's Pleasure

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Aug 30, 2004

“It’s not about you.” -Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life

A. HOW DO WE LIVE A LIFE OF WORSHIP, A LIFE PLEASING TO GOD? “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:30

Denomination: Baptist

40 Days Of Purpose: Week 3: You Were Formed For God's Family

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Aug 30, 2004

“When we place our faith in Christ, God becomes our Father, we become His children, other believers become our brothers and sisters, and the church becomes our spiritual family.” -Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life

A. INTRODUCTION MEMORY VERSE “. . . so in Christ, we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others” (Romans 12:5) B. THE FIVE BUILDING BLOCKS FOR FELLOWSHIP “Don’t just pretend that you love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Stand on the side of the good. Love ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:5-16

Denomination: Baptist

40 Days Of Purpose: Week 4: You Were Created To Become Like Christ

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Aug 30, 2004

“God’s ultimate good for your life on earth is not comfort, but character development. He wants you to grow up spiritually and become like Christ.” -Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life

A. INTRODUCTION MEMORY VERSE “Your attitude shall be the same as that of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 2:5). Review: - Week one: You are here for God’s purpose. - Week two: You were planned for God’s pleasure: worship. - Week three: You were formed for God’s family. Your work: - Continue to work out your ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:5

Denomination: Baptist

40 Days Of Purpose: Week 5: Ministry: You Were Shaped For Serving God

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Aug 30, 2004

“You were put on earth to make a contribution. You weren’t created just to consume resources – to eat, breathe, and take up space. God designed you to make a difference with your life” -Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life

Review: Week one: Why am I on earth? Existence. Week two: What has God planned for me? Significance. Week three: How must I get along with others? Sharing. Week four: What is God doing in my life? Character. Week five: What does God want me to do? Serve. MEMORY VERSE “Each one should use whatever ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:30-37

Denomination: Baptist