Sermons on Town:

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

How We Got Our Bible Lesson 4: Arguments For God's Existence

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jul 18, 2006

Arguments for the existence of God.

1. The Bible does not attempt to prove God, but accepts His existence, i.e., “In the beginning God . . .” (Gen. 1:1). 2. “I could no longer disbelieve.” –Sheldon Vanauken -------------------------------- Five Self-Evident Truths (That do not need proof) 1. There is a God with complete power and ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:1

Denomination: Baptist

What To Do After The Big Day

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jul 19, 2006

We should work as hard after a big day as we did to get to the big day. Pentecost is our example of what a church should do after a (Big) day.

A. AFTER THE 50TH TRBC ANNIVERSARY AND SANCTUARY DEDICATION We should work as hard after a big day as we did to get to the big day. Pentecost is our example of what a church should do after a (Big) day. 1. Dangers we face. • Thinking our momentum will guarantee success. • Thinking our past ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42

Denomination: Baptist

The Seven I Ams Lesson 1: I Am The Bread Of Life

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jul 19, 2006

The Seven I AMs of Jesus

A. AN INTRODUCTION TO THE “I AMs” 1. There are 7 + 1 (7 is the number of perfection; 8 is the number of new things). 1. I am the bread of life – John 6:37. 2. I am the light of the world – John 8:12. 3. I am the door – John 10:9. 4. I am the good shepherd – John 10:11. 5. I am the resurrection ...read more

Scripture: John 6:37

Denomination: Baptist

The Seven I Ams Lesson 2: I Am The Light Of The World

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jul 19, 2006

The Seven I AMs of Jesus

A. INTRODUCTION 1. This is the second “I AM” given by Jesus. 2. Why did Jesus use “LIGHT” on this occasion? a. Early in the morning as the sun arose. “And early in the morning (before sunrise) He (Jesus) came again into the temple” (8:2). b. The priest lit the candle stand in the ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:5

Denomination: Baptist

The Seven I Ams Lesson 3: I Am The Door

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jul 19, 2006

The Seven I AMs of Jesus

“I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture” (John 10:9). 1. Definition: (a) A passage into a room, Jesus is the way into Heaven, (b) A barrier usually turning on a hinge. Jesus keeps out those who will not believe. (c) An opportunity, i.e., ...read more

Scripture: John 10:9

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

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

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