Sermons on Town:

Lesson 2: Looking For Signs

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Oct 30, 2006

A sign points primarily to the supernatural activity of God to send a message to people. “Communication between the visible and invisible world.” ISBE

A. WHY THERE WILL BE SIGNS 1. Definition: A sign points primarily to the supernatural activity of God to send a message to people. “Communication between the visible and invisible world.” ISBE 2. There have always been signs. a. The rainbow, a sign that the earth won’t be flooded again. b. Moses ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:3

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 3: Actual Signs

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Nov 8, 2006

WHAT ARE SOME SIGNS OF THE LORD’S RETURN?

A. WHAT ARE SOME SIGNS OF THE LORD’S RETURN? 1. Signs in nature, i.e., “There shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes” (Matt. 24:7). 2. Signs in society. Lawlessness, violence, sexual immorality, greed, selfish pursuit, pleasure seekers, rebellion, despair (II Tim. 3:1-4). 3. Signs ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:7

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 4: The Best And Worst Of Times

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Nov 13, 2006

The top ten Best and Worst of Times in regards to Christ’s return.

A. THE TOP TEN BEST OF OUR TIMES 1. More people to reach for Christ. “Most assuredly, I say to you . . . the works that I do he will do also; and greater [works] than these he will do, because I go to My Father” (John 14:12). 2. Easier travel from any place to all places. “Many shall run to and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:9

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

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

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

Lesson 2: Galatians 2:20

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Feb 28, 2007

“I am (have been) crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Gal. 2:20, KJV).

A. SCRIPTURE “I am (have been) crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Gal. 2:20, KJV). 1. A mystery the world can’t understand. “This ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:20, Galatians 2:21

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 3: Romans 1:16-17

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Mar 1, 2007

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, the just

A. SCRIPTURE “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, the just shall live by faith” (Rom. ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:16-17

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 1: Learned From Parables

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Mar 20, 2007

Stewardship is our proper management of time, talent and treasure for the glory of God” –Definition from Developing a Giving Church

A. Luke 19:12-26 Stewardship is our proper management of time, talent and treasure for the glory of God” –Definition from Developing a Giving Church 1. God owns everything. He is the nobleman who owns the money, the servants, the farm, and the increase from the work of the servants. 2. God ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:12-26

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 2: Stewardship

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 11, 2007

Because God called us, we have an opportunity. “A man . . . called his own servants” (v. 4). “Faithful is He who calls you” (I Thess. 5:24).

“For [the kingdom of heaven is] like a man traveling to a far country, [who] called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. Then he who had ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-29

Denomination: Baptist