Sermons on Town:

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

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

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

What Pain Teaches You: Lesson 2: The Problems Of Pain

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Feb 20, 2006

“If God were good, He would wish to make His creatures perfectly happy and if God were almighty He would be able to do what He wished. But the creatures suffer pain; therefore does God lack goodness or power, or both?” -C. S. Lewis

A. THREE MYTHS ABOUT PAIN 1. God’s children are not supposed to suffer pain. 2. If I hurt, there must be something wrong with me. 3. If I hurt, there must be something wrong with God. B. WHY PAIN? 1. “If God were good, He would wish to make His creatures perfectly happy and if God were ...read more

Scripture: Job 11:13-16

Denomination: Baptist

What Pain Teaches You: Lesson 3: What To Do In Pain

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Feb 20, 2006

“Dear brothers, is your life full of difficulties and temptations? Then be happy, for when the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow. So let it grow, and don’t try to squirm out of your problems. For when your patience is finally in full bloom

A. GOD IS NOT THE AUTHOR OF PAIN OR SUFFERING 1. God created a perfect man and placed Him in a perfect environment. 2. Pain and suffering are the consequences of living in a fallen world. “To the woman He said: ‘I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; In pain you shall bring ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-4

Denomination: Baptist

The Miracles In John: Lesson 1: Introduction

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Sep 20, 2005

THE EIGHT MIRACLES OF JOHN

A. Why are there four gospels? To tell a complete story of Jesus. B. Why does Mark have the most miracles? To show a powerful servant. C. Why does John have the fewest miracles? Each has an explanation. D. John is a Jewish mystic who uses ¡§7¡¨ in his writings. There are ¡§7¡¨ miracles in John plus ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Miracles In John: Lesson 2: John 2:1-11

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Oct 6, 2005

As the second lesson on the series of the Miracles in John, this sermon details John 2:1-11.

1. When did the miracles happen? On the seventh day. Day 1: ¡§The Pharisees question John the Baptist¡¨ (1:19-28). Day 2: ¡§The next day John saw Jesus coming¡¨ (1:29). Day 3: ¡§The next day John stood with two of his disciples¡¨ (1:35). Day 4: ¡§The day following . . . Jesus found Philip¡¨ ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-11

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

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

Three Christmas Gifts

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jan 25, 2005

Three Christmas Gifts: The gift of faith, hope, and love.

A. INTRODUCTION 1. The wise men brought three gifts, one from each representative. “They . . . fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh” (Matt. 2:11). 2. The three greatest gifts are not possession, money, or ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:11

Denomination: Baptist

Prayer In 2005

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jan 25, 2005

Praying in the new year.

1. Desperate prayers. “Lord, help me” (Matt. 15:25). - How: No preparation, no formula, just a sincere call. - Who: Those who are in trouble. “This poor man cried and the Lord delivered him out of all his trouble” (Psa. 34:6). - Why: Because the Lord will help. “The Lord also will . . . be a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:19

Denomination: Baptist