Sermons on Town:

40 Days Of Purpose: Week 2 – Worship: You Were Planned For God's Pleasure

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Aug 30, 2004

“It’s not about you.” -Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life

A. HOW DO WE LIVE A LIFE OF WORSHIP, A LIFE PLEASING TO GOD? “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:30

Denomination: Baptist

40 Days Of Purpose: Week 3: You Were Formed For God's Family

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Aug 30, 2004

“When we place our faith in Christ, God becomes our Father, we become His children, other believers become our brothers and sisters, and the church becomes our spiritual family.” -Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life

A. INTRODUCTION MEMORY VERSE “. . . so in Christ, we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others” (Romans 12:5) B. THE FIVE BUILDING BLOCKS FOR FELLOWSHIP “Don’t just pretend that you love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Stand on the side of the good. Love ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:5-16

Denomination: Baptist

40 Days Of Purpose: Week 4: You Were Created To Become Like Christ

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Aug 30, 2004

“God’s ultimate good for your life on earth is not comfort, but character development. He wants you to grow up spiritually and become like Christ.” -Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life

A. INTRODUCTION MEMORY VERSE “Your attitude shall be the same as that of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 2:5). Review: - Week one: You are here for God’s purpose. - Week two: You were planned for God’s pleasure: worship. - Week three: You were formed for God’s family. Your work: - Continue to work out your ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:5

Denomination: Baptist

40 Days Of Purpose: Week 5: Ministry: You Were Shaped For Serving God

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Aug 30, 2004

“You were put on earth to make a contribution. You weren’t created just to consume resources – to eat, breathe, and take up space. God designed you to make a difference with your life” -Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life

Review: Week one: Why am I on earth? Existence. Week two: What has God planned for me? Significance. Week three: How must I get along with others? Sharing. Week four: What is God doing in my life? Character. Week five: What does God want me to do? Serve. MEMORY VERSE “Each one should use whatever ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:30-37

Denomination: Baptist

40 Days Of Purpose: Week 6: Evangelism: You Were Made For A Mission

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Aug 30, 2004

“Jesus calls us not only to come to Him, but to go for Him.” -Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life

Review: Six words 1. Purpose: God has a plan for us. 2. Worship: bring pleasure to God. 3. Fellowship: living with others. 4. Discipleship: becoming like Jesus. 5. Ministry: serving others. 6. Evangelism: sharing the good news. MEMORY VERSE “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:17-26

Denomination: Baptist

Stories Of Christmas: Lesson 1

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Aug 31, 2004

Stories of Christmas

A. THE FIRST WORD FROM HEAVEN IN 400 YEARS. LUKE 1:3-22 1. Why did God choose Elizabeth and Zacharias to be parents of John the Baptist? - Because they were godly. “Both were righteous before God, walking in all the commandments . . . blameless” (v. 6). - To raise a godly son. - To reward them ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:3-22

Denomination: Baptist

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

Palm Sunday Journey

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Sep 1, 2004

Jesus’ Palm Sunday Journey

1. The road was well known, but this journey was unique. - Jesus had been on this road many times. - Offers Himself as King. “Behold your King is coming to you, lowly and sitting on a donkey” (Matt. 21:5). - We may know our road, but Jesus knows our journey. 2. Why a donkey for this journey? - ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:3-11

Denomination: Baptist

How To Love Your Mother

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Sep 3, 2004

How to love your mother

1. Tell her you love her. There are at least three languages of love. “My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth” (I John 3:18). a. Attitudes. This is loving in attitude of truth. b. Actions. This is loving in deeds. c. Words. This is verbal communicaton of ...read more

Scripture: John 19:26-27

Denomination: Baptist

Candles Teach Us About Mothers

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Sep 14, 2004

Mothers Day: Candles Teach Us About Mothers

A. KINDS OF CANDLES - Atmospheric candles to create a mood. Some mothers’ attitudes permeate the house with their godliness and goodness. - Candles to celebrate. Some mothers celebrate the life and passage of events with meaning, i.e., Christmas, weddings, anniversaries. - Food candles that create ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 31:18

Denomination: Baptist

Three Of The Greatest Emotions In Life

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 9, 2003

We have many emotions. These include fear, anger, excitement, loneliness, despair, and satisfaction. What emotions motivate you the most?

A. INTRODUCTION 1. We have many emotions. These include fear, anger, excitement, loneliness, despair, and satisfaction. What emotions motivate you the most ____________________________? 2. The three greatest emotions. Today’s lesson surrounds three of the greatest emotions: WHAT EMOTIONS What ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 137:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

(Lesson 1) Jacob: Motivated By Fear

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 10, 2003

Jacob wrestled all night with God and wouldn’t let Him go. Because of Jacob’s tenacity, God blessed him and changed his name to Israel, i.e., a Prince with God.

A. INTRODUCTION: GENESIS 32:22-32 What an encounter is not. 1. Not a greeting, i.e., when we talk to God. 2. Not a thought, i.e., when we meditate on God. 3. Not a meeting, i.e., our scheduled communion. 4. Not incidental, i.e., something we do every day. 5. Not an answer to prayer. B. WHAT ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 32:22-32

Denomination: Baptist

(Lesson 2) Gideon: A Weak Self-Image

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 10, 2003

Gideon was at the bottom of the social ladder and filled with self-doubt when he encountered God. Because of that experience, Gideon was able to drive the enemy out of his homeland.

A. INTRODUCTION: JUDGES 6:11-23 1. Poor. Gideon was the youngest son, of the poorest family, of the weakest tribe in Israel. "My family is poor in Manasseh, and I am least in my father’s house" (I Judges 6:15). 2. Weak Name. Gideon was also called Jerubbal (Baal fighter) after confronting idol ...read more

Scripture: Judges 6:11-23

Denomination: Baptist

(Lesson 3) Moses: His Face Shown

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 10, 2003

God said Moses was the meekest man on the face of the earth, yet Moses boldly asked to see God’s glory. When he saw the backside of God, his face shone for 40 days.

A. INTRODUCTION: EXODUS 33 and 34 What frustration drove Moses to seek and encounter God? 1. Murder. "Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, (Moses killed a guard) he sought to slay Moses" (Ex. 2:15). 2. Inability. "I am not eloquent" (Ex. 4:10). 3. Complained. "The people murmured against Moses" ...read more

Denomination: Baptist