Sermons on Town:

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

Building Dynamic Faith: Lesson 4: Thinking The Unthinkable

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jun 23, 2006

God has promised to do the impossible in response to prayer. Let us recognize that throughout life, God has already done the humanly impossible. Realize God wants to do exceeding and abundantly beyond all that we ask or think.

A. STATEMENTS ON PRAYER BY JERRY FALWELL (as taught by Jonathan Falwell). 1. Prayer can do anything God can do . . . and since God can do anything, prayer is omnipotent. 2. “Nothing of eternal significance ever happens apart from prayer.” 3. “Faith begins where man’s power ends.” 4. There are ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33

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

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