Sermons on Town:

Lesson 8: How To Know You Are Saved

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Feb 3, 2003

Series: Foundational Doctrines of the Faith

A. INTRODUCTION 1. Why some people doubt their salvation. a. Sin. When they disobey God, they doubt their relationship to God. b. False doctrine. Some doubt because they believe the wrong things. c. Ignorance. Some doubt because they don’t know God’s Word. d. Never saved. Some doubt because ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:10-21

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 9: What We Believe About People

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Feb 3, 2003

Series: Foundational Doctrines of the Faith

A. WHO ARE PEOPLE? 1. The biblical view of people recognizes the existence of both a physical and spiritual aspect of their being. a. The material part of a person is the body. The Bible teaches that people have: (1) A created body (Gen. 2:7). (2) A physical body (I Cor. 15:38-40). (3) A body ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 10: What We Believe About The Church

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Feb 3, 2003

Series: Foundational Doctrines of the Faith

A. THE LAW OF FIRST REFERENCE – FIRST MENTION OF THE CHURCH. “I will build my church” (Matt. 16:18) B. WHAT MAKES A GROUP OF CHRISTIANS INTO A CHURCH? 1. Ekklesia: a group of called-out ones. a. Called from their former life. b. Called for a purpose. 2. Definition: A church may be described ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:18

Denomination: Baptist

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

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

Christmas Questions

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Dec 14, 2005

At what time of year was Jesus born? What does Noel mean? How could the wisemen come from so far, yet show up on time? How many Wisemen worshiped Jesus? What was the star the wisemen followed? Who were the wisemen? How is His birth and death tied together

1. At what time of year was Jesus born? Answer: late December. Jesus was baptized about his 30th birthday. ¡§That Jesus was also baptized . . . Jesus Himself began to be about thirty years of age (Luke 3:21-23). Jesus had approximately 5 to 6 months of activity between his baptism and his trip ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Christmas Names Of Jesus

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Dec 14, 2005

All you need to know about Jesus is found in His names.

All you need to know about Jesus is found in His names. 1. Jesus (January 2). What kind of name was this? “Thou shalt call His name Jesus” (Matt. 1:2). a. Every day name. b. From Old Testament Joshua. c. Meant “Jehovah saves.” 2. What can we do with this name? a. Pray (John 14:13-14). b. Cast ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:2

Denomination: Baptist

Christmas Traditions

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Dec 14, 2005

Those passing on traditions, "handing down of information, beliefs, practices and customs by word of mouth or by example from one generation to the next."

INTRODUCTION 1. Those passing on traditions, handing down of information, beliefs, practices and customs by word of mouth or by example from one generation to the next. 2. Those receiving traditions, an inherited pattern or thought or action. 3. The Bible teaches that traditions are both good ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 1: Stars And Shepherds

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jan 27, 2010

How God uses tangible things, i.e., symbols, to remind us of Himself and spiritual things.

A. WHY SYMBOLS ARE IMPORTANT 1. Christmas is filled with symbols. The world’s symbols are Santa Claus, tinsel, Christmas trees, snow, sleigh bells, holly, mistletoe, and presents. Recently the world has added shopping, vacations, special movies and Christmas music. Why Christmas ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 3: The Manger

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jan 27, 2010

God could have chosen for Jesus to be born at a relatives, near the temple, or at the home of the rich. However, He choose for Jesus to be born in a stable.

A. INTRODUCTION: WHY DID GOD CHOOSE A MANGER? 1. God could have chosen for Jesus to be born at relatives, near the Temple, the home of the rich. “In the fullness of time God sent” (Gal. 4:4). “All things work together for good” (Rom. 8:28). God had a ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:4

Denomination: Baptist