Sermons on Town:

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 2: John 2:1-11

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Oct 6, 2005

As the second lesson on the series of the Miracles in John, this sermon details John 2:1-11.

1. When did the miracles happen? On the seventh day. Day 1: ¡§The Pharisees question John the Baptist¡¨ (1:19-28). Day 2: ¡§The next day John saw Jesus coming¡¨ (1:29). Day 3: ¡§The next day John stood with two of his disciples¡¨ (1:35). Day 4: ¡§The day following . . . Jesus found Philip¡¨ ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-11

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

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

Building Dynamic Faith Lesson 5: Today Counts

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jul 18, 2006

As you come to understand God’s unique calling for your life, you will be asked to exercise your faith and vision along the way.

A. WHAT’S YOUR LIFE’S PURPOSE? 1. Salvation. “The Lord is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (I Peter 3:9). 2. To grow spiritually. “For this is the will of God, your sanctification” (I Thess. 4:3, NASB). 3. To properly use your spiritual gifts. ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:17

Denomination: Baptist

How We Got Our Bible Lesson 1: Background

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jul 18, 2006

How We Got Our Bible: Background

1. What language was used to write the Bible? a. Hebrew – bold, simple, straight forward, beautiful. b. Greek – exact, expressive, minute colors. • Originally thought “Holy Ghost language.” • Koine Greek is common everyday language. This made the Word of God immediately available to all c. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:27

Denomination: Baptist

How We Got Our Bible Lesson 2: Why I Believe The Bible Message

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jul 18, 2006

We can only expect that a loving and wise God would reveal a plan of redemption to man powerful enough to save him.

A. INTRODUCTION 1. Christianity is a religion of the book. 2. What happens when you give up the authority of the Bible? a. You have no final proof for your faith. b. You will deny its contents. c. Your life is a rudderless ship in a stormy sea at the mercy of every wind (opinion) that ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16

Denomination: Baptist

How We Got Our Bible Lesson 3: What We Believe About The Bible

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jul 18, 2006

The Bible is the greatest in subject matter i.e., Jesus Christ, the greatest in influence on lives and nations, and it answers man’s greatest need: salvation.

A. THE BIBLE IS DESCRIBED AS THE GREATEST BOOK IN THE WORLD 1. It is the greatest in subject matter i.e., Jesus Christ. 2. It is the greatest in influence on lives and nations. 3. It answers man’s greatest need: salvation. B. EIGHT THEMES TO DESCRIBE THE BIBLE 1. Revelation – refers to the act ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:18

Denomination: Baptist