Sermons on Town:

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

The Bible And Retirement: Lesson 1: The Seasons Of Life

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Sep 1, 2003

Series: The Bible and Retirement

A. INTRODUCTION Winter: The farmer planning and dreaming. Spring: Cultivating the soil and planting. Summer: Working and growing toward success. Fall: Harvesting the fruits of life. THREE MISSED OPPORTUNITIES 1. Rejecting the season you are in. Always dreaming of the lazy, hazy days of summer. 2. ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

The Bible And Retirement: Lesson 2: The Seasons Of Life

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Sep 15, 2003

Series: The Bible and Retirement

A. INTRODUCTION - REVIEW 1. Winter – Dreams and planning (childhood). 2. Spring – Planting and preparation (youth). 3. Summer – Growth and hard work (adult). 4. Autumn – Harvest and enjoying the fruits of your work (retirement). B. PERSONAL JOURNEY THRU THE SEASONS 1. The direction is the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:4-8

Denomination: Baptist

The Bible And Retirement: Lesson 3: Growing Through The Seasons

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Sep 15, 2003

Series: The Bible and Retirement

A. INTRODUCTION B. REVIEW OF FOUR SEASONS 1. Winter – Dreams and planning (childhood). 2. Spring – Planting and preparation (youth). 3. Summer – Growth and hard work (adult). 4. Autumn – Harvest and enjoying the fruits of your work (retirement). C. CONTINUATION 5.Each season has varying ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:28

Denomination: Baptist

The Bible And Retirement: Lesson 4: Paying A Price

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Sep 15, 2003

Series: The Bible and Retirement

A. INTRODUCTION: THE PRICE IS ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL 1. To have a successful journey through life, you must continuously pay a price. The flesh wants ease. The devil wants defeat. The world wants conformity. 2. You fail to reach your greatest potential when you fail to pay a price. B. THE TEN ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:27-28

Denomination: Baptist

When The Brook Dries Up

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Aug 21, 2003

We’ve all been in a place where the "brook" dried up and God moved us on to another place. There are many lessons to be learned beside the brook.

A. INTRODUCTION “And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, ‘As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.’ And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, ‘Get thee hence, and turn ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 17:1-9, 1 Kings 17:24

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 7: I Am The Vine

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Sep 22, 2006

“I am the vine, you [are] the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).

“I am the vine, you [are] the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). A. THE VINE IN THE OLD TESTAMENT 1. Israel was God’s vineyard. “The vineyard of the Lord of Hosts is the house of Israel” (Isa. 5:7). 2. God did everything ...read more

Scripture: John 15:5

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

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: Some Answers To Suffering

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Oct 6, 2006

“Behold, happy [is] the man whom God corrects; Therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty” (Job 5:17).

A. QUESTIONS AND RESPONSES 1. Human. Why do the innocent suffer? Answer: Sin. The answer Job’s friends gave. 2. Justify. What is the point in serving God if bad things happen? Answer: Can you keep your faith in a good, long, sovereign God when all around you fails? 3. Blame. What is God ...read more

Scripture: Job 5:17

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 6: The Coming Cultural Earthquake

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Nov 27, 2006

Don’t reject God who has spoken to us in the Word. Those who rejected God in the past did not escape His punishment, and you also will not escape if you do not listen and obey. God’s message is like an earthquake, because He promised, “Next time, I will

Hebrews 12:15-18 Don’t reject God who has spoken to us in the Word. Those who rejected God in the past did not escape His punishment, and you also will not escape if you do not listen and obey. God’s message is like an earthquake, because He promised, “Next time, I will shake not only the earth, ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:15-18

Denomination: Baptist