Sermons on Town:

New Year's Commitment

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Feb 14, 2005

New Year’s Commitment

A. NEW YEAR’S COMMITMENT 1. The greatest challenge of the new year . . . new beginning. A new year gives us an opportunity to start over. A new job means a challenge to do better than the last job. They don’t know your past weaknesses, and failures. a. A new year is a chance to live better than ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 2:18

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

Lessons From Peter's Life: Lesson 5: God Uses People Who Make Mistakes

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Feb 18, 2008

God can use us in our mistakes and weakness just as He used Peter.

Pastor’s Bible Class Thomas Road Baptist Church Lessons From Peter’s Life Dr. Elmer L. Towns Lesson 5: God Uses People Who Make Mistakes February 17, 2008 INTRODUCTION – REVIEW 1. Indecisive: It took three calls to get Peter, What lesson did he learn? Commitment. 2. Unbelief: Peter sank in ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Praying Paul's Letters: Lesson 1

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Feb 25, 2008

What can we learn from the figure of Paul and the letters he wrote?

Pastor’s Bible Class Thomas Road Baptist Church Praying Paul’s Letters Dr. Elmer L. Towns Lesson 1 February 24, 2008 A. WHO WAS PAUL? 1. Tentmaker. What was his father’s occupation? Acts 18:1-2. 2. Tarsus. Where was Paul born? (Turkey) 3. Legalistic. What can be said of his ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Praying Exodus

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 2, 2009

How God uses instruments and methods for His glory.

A. THE ROD OF GOD USED BY MOSES 1. Symbol. An outer instrument with an inner spiritual meaning. “A rod . . . it became a serpent; and Moses fled from it” (Ex. 4:2-3). 2. A test to do God’s Word. “Stretch out your hand with your rod over the streams . . . frogs” (Ex. ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Bible And Retirement: Lesson 5: Playing To Win

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Aug 30, 2004

Series: The Bible and Retirement

A. THE END OF THE GAME IS RETIREMENT 1. Retirement doesn’t happen at a chronological age, but at your age of choice. Retirement should be dreamed, planned, and worked for, then enjoyed. 2. Life is a journey to retirement. - You are gonna get in the game whether you want to or not. - You are in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Denomination: Baptist

40 Days Of Purpose: Week 1 – What On Earth Am I Here For?

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Aug 30, 2004

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

A. THE CONSEQUENCES OF NOT KNOWING YOUR PURPOSE 1. Without knowing your purpose, life will seem tiresome. “The sun still rises and it still goes down . . . the wind blows . . . round and round and back again. Every river flows into the sea . . .[then] the water returns to where the rivers began, ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:10

Denomination: Baptist

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