Sermons on Town:

Sent: The Missional Church

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Aug 24, 2009

How we as a church are to witness and lead someone to Christ.

A. OLD WORDS AND NEW WORDS • SAVED = Conversion, to lead someone to Christ, i.e., soul winning • WITNESS = share what Christ has done for me, i.e., testimony • CHURCH GROWTH = the results of evangelism Internal Growth = spiritual External Growth = members Transfer Growth = join church Biological ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 3: The Church Is Jesus

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Aug 31, 2009

The Church is a body that holds Christ.

A. INTRODUCTION 1. The emergent church says, “They like Jesus but not the church.” 2. What goes together? The Lone Ranger and Tonto, Laurel and Hardy, Laverne and Shirley, Dagwood and Blondie, Simon and Garfunkel. So, the church and Jesus go together. 3. A vast majority have ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-12

Denomination: Baptist

Today's New Journey

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Aug 31, 2009

You can’t change where you have come from, but you can change where you’re going.

Today’s New Journey Elmer L. Towns A. WE’RE ALL ON A JOURNEY 1. You can’t change where you have come from, but you can change where you are going. 2. Your future destination doesn’t need to be a carbon copy of your past, nor does God want it to be. 3. God wants to give you a new path and a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:13-14

Denomination: Baptist

How To Pray For Your Spouse

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Feb 26, 2009

How to strengthen your marriage and relationship through prayer for one another.

“Praying at all times, and on every possible occasion, asking for what you need” (Eph. 6:18, ELT). A. WHY PRAY TOGETHER? 1. Need. Barna says 27% of born again people and 30% of fundamentalists divorce. 2. Unites you spiritually before God. “If two of you agree . . . about anything ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:18

Denomination: Baptist

How To Pray For Your Pastor/Church

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Feb 26, 2009

Why prayer for Pastors/Churches is necessary and 3 important times to pray for your Pastor.

A. WHY PRAY FOR YOUR PASTOR? 1. Because his victories are (your) the church’s victories. “When Moses held up his hand (in prayer), Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed” (Ex. 17:11). 2. Because God’s people are captive to godless forces. Daniel (9:1-23) ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 17:11

Denomination: Baptist

Praying Exodus

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 2, 2009

How God uses instruments and methods for His glory.

A. THE ROD OF GOD USED BY MOSES 1. Symbol. An outer instrument with an inner spiritual meaning. “A rod . . . it became a serpent; and Moses fled from it” (Ex. 4:2-3). 2. A test to do God’s Word. “Stretch out your hand with your rod over the streams . . . frogs” (Ex. ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 3: Praying Through Persecution

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Feb 21, 2011

How to deal with persecution as Christians.

A. 1 PETER 4:12-19 “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-19

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 4: Turning An "Enemy" Into A Friend

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Feb 21, 2011

Jesus commandments to us about how to pray for and deal with our enemies.

A. INTRODUCTION 1. The word “enemy” is in quotation marks to show they are not permanent enemies. 2. Beware of “enemies’ lists.” Only list them for prayer. 3. Looking through Jesus’ eyes will change everything. 4. Don’t be naive. The Bible doesn’t ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-44

Denomination: Baptist

Questions About Jesus' Return

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Feb 28, 2011

What the Bible says about Jesus' return.

A. THE BIBLE’S TEACHING ABOUT THE TIME OF JESUS’ RETURN 1. Jesus said there would be “wrong” predictions about His return. “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:23-24

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 2: God Whispers And Whistles

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Mar 8, 2011

Attributes of God.

A. INTRODUCTION “Did you know that God sings? That He works? Or that He cries? God does many things that you may not have thought about before. But the more you know about Him, the better you can respond to Him. God gets jealous, angry and He smiles. God smells pleasant aromas, collects tears ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:11-12

Denomination: Baptist

Answering Difficult Bible Passages

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Mar 21, 2011

How to understand and explain difficult Bible passages.

A. INTRODUCTION: YOUR ATTITUDE TOWARD DIFFICULTIES 1. Because a verse is difficult does not mean the Bible is contradictory, nor should you doubt God’s Word. 2. You can’t know everything, only God knows everything, so trust Him. “The secret things belong unto the Lord our ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 22:29

Denomination: Baptist

Non-Biblical Passages

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Mar 21, 2011

Common "sayings" that are not found in Scripture.

A. INTRODUCTION 1. Many think these “sayings” are quoted from Scripture, but they are just not there. However, they have biblical truths taught (a) in principle, or (b) application. 2. Some wrongly apply some of these “sayings.” 3. Condition: become a man/woman of the ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 29:15

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 2: Why I Believe In The Trinity

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jan 14, 2011

Exploring the foundation of our faith in the Trinity- God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

A. INTRODUCTION 1. We believe in the Trinity, “We affirm our belief in one God, infinite Spirit, Creator, and Sustainer of all things, who exists eternally in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. These three are one in essence but distinct in person and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:18

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 7: Are The Heathen Really Lost?

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jan 14, 2011

Four questions asked by critics regarding the unsaved and life after death.

A. 4 QUESTIONS RAISED BY CRITICS 1. Universalism. DOESN’T THE BIBLE TEACH SOME FROM EVERY TRIBE WILL GO TO HEAVEN? a. All tribes in Heaven. “They sung a new song . . . Thou was slain, and hast redeemed us . . . out of every kindred and tongue, and people, and nation” (Rev. ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:9-10

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 8: Easy Believism Vs. Lordship Salvation

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jan 14, 2011

Completing surrendering to Christ with salvation.

A. THE TENSION BETWEEN LORDSHIP SALVATION VS. EASY BELIEVISM 1. It’s a mistake to use pejorative terms, as if they were fighting. 2. John MacArthur, The Gospel According to Jesus, 1982, and Charles Ryrie, So Great Salvation. 3. Theologians tend to Lordship Salvation. Evangelists tend to ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:31

Denomination: Baptist