Sermons on Town:

Lesson 11: Faith Tested

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 11, 2003

Abraham’s Journey of Faith

A. INTRODUCTION: GENESIS 22:1 1. What were the four great trials of separation in Abraham’s life? a. Family. "Get thee out of the country, and from thy kindred" (12:1). b. Lot/Nephew. "Separate thyself from me" (13:9). c. Ishmael. "Cast out this bondwoman and her son" (21:10). d. Isaac. "Take thy ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 12: When Death Tests Your Faith

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 11, 2003

Abraham’s Journey of Faith

A. INTRODUCTION 1. The only woman. Sarah is the only woman in the Bible whose age is given. "Sarah was a hundred and seven and twenty years old" (32:1). 2. 37 years. Sarah influenced her only son into manhood. Isaac was born when she was 90 years old. 3. 87 years. Sarah followed her husband in ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 23:2-16

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 13: A Bride For Isaac

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 11, 2003

Abraham’s Journey of Faith

A. INTRODUCTION: GENESIS 24:1-67 1. Promise fulfilled. This series began with God’s call to Abraham to separate himself from idolatry in Ur of the Chaldees, and God’s promise that he would have many children and a Deliverer would come through him. Today, the promise is completed in a perfect Bride ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 24:1-67

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 4: I Am The Good Shepherd

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Sep 1, 2006

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep”(John 10:11).

A. INTRODUCTION “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep”(John 10:11). 1. What is a shepherd? One who takes care of the heep. a. It is the owner. “His own sheep” (John 10:4). b. A son of an owner. “Jesse said . . . there remaineth the youngest,he keepeth the sheep” ...read more

Scripture: John 10:11

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 5: I Am The Resurrection And The Life

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Sep 1, 2006

“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live’” (John 11:25).

A. INTRODUCTION “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live’” (John 11:25). 1. Jesus told Martha, “I Am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25). a. Shows our great attachment to the body. b. She expected a resurrection in ...read more

Scripture: John 11:25

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 6: I Am The Way, The Truth, And The Life

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Sep 1, 2006

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me’” (John 14:6).

A. INTRODUCTION “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me’” (John 14:6). 1. The article “the” points out the only one. 2. The clause “no one” excludes any other possibility. 3. The “I Am” identifies Jesus as deity. 4. The way – how ...read more

Scripture: John 14:6

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

Building Dynamic Faith: Lesson 4: Thinking The Unthinkable

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jun 23, 2006

God has promised to do the impossible in response to prayer. Let us recognize that throughout life, God has already done the humanly impossible. Realize God wants to do exceeding and abundantly beyond all that we ask or think.

A. STATEMENTS ON PRAYER BY JERRY FALWELL (as taught by Jonathan Falwell). 1. Prayer can do anything God can do . . . and since God can do anything, prayer is omnipotent. 2. “Nothing of eternal significance ever happens apart from prayer.” 3. “Faith begins where man’s power ends.” 4. There are ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33

Denomination: Baptist

Building Dynamic Faith Lesson 5: Today Counts

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jul 18, 2006

As you come to understand God’s unique calling for your life, you will be asked to exercise your faith and vision along the way.

A. WHAT’S YOUR LIFE’S PURPOSE? 1. Salvation. “The Lord is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (I Peter 3:9). 2. To grow spiritually. “For this is the will of God, your sanctification” (I Thess. 4:3, NASB). 3. To properly use your spiritual gifts. ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:17

Denomination: Baptist

How We Got Our Bible Lesson 1: Background

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jul 18, 2006

How We Got Our Bible: Background

1. What language was used to write the Bible? a. Hebrew – bold, simple, straight forward, beautiful. b. Greek – exact, expressive, minute colors. • Originally thought “Holy Ghost language.” • Koine Greek is common everyday language. This made the Word of God immediately available to all c. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:27

Denomination: Baptist

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