Sermons on Town:

Stories Of Christmas: Lesson 2

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Aug 31, 2004

Stories of Christmas

A. WHERE ELSE WOULD A KING BE BORN? LUKE 2:1-7 1. Why did Mary and Joseph go to Bethlehem? - Commanded by Caesar. “A decree went out from Caesar Augustus . . . so all went . . . everyone to his own city” (2:1, 3). - Predicted. “But you Bethlehem . . . out of you will come . . . the One to be ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-35

Denomination: Baptist

Stories Of Christmas: Lesson 3:

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Aug 31, 2004

Stories of Christmas

A. IN SEARCH OF THE KING. MATTHEW 2:1-2 1. Why were Mary and Joseph still living in Bethlehem? - So their son could be near the Temple. - So their son could identify with David. Bethlehem is the city of David and the angel predicted Jesus would sit on David’s throne. - Rumors in Nazareth. - The ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-23

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

The Miracles In John: Lesson 1: Introduction

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Sep 20, 2005

THE EIGHT MIRACLES OF JOHN

A. Why are there four gospels? To tell a complete story of Jesus. B. Why does Mark have the most miracles? To show a powerful servant. C. Why does John have the fewest miracles? Each has an explanation. D. John is a Jewish mystic who uses ¡§7¡¨ in his writings. There are ¡§7¡¨ miracles in John plus ...read more

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

Palm Sunday

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 17, 2006

"The next day a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out: ‘Hosanna! ‘Blessed [is] He who comes in the name of the Lord! The King of

“The next day a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out: ‘Hosanna! ‘Blessed [is] He who comes in the name of the Lord! The King of Israel!’ Then Jesus, when He had found a ...read more

Scripture: John 12:12-19

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

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