Sermons on Town:

Lesson 5: How To Test The Spirits

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Dec 6, 2006

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

A. TEN THINGS WE CAN KNOW ABOUT ERROR “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:1-6, Ezekiel 8:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

How To Pray For Your Spouse

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Feb 26, 2009

How to strengthen your marriage and relationship through prayer for one another.

“Praying at all times, and on every possible occasion, asking for what you need” (Eph. 6:18, ELT). A. WHY PRAY TOGETHER? 1. Need. Barna says 27% of born again people and 30% of fundamentalists divorce. 2. Unites you spiritually before God. “If two of you agree . . . about anything ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:18

Denomination: Baptist

How To Pray For Your Pastor/Church

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Feb 26, 2009

Why prayer for Pastors/Churches is necessary and 3 important times to pray for your Pastor.

A. WHY PRAY FOR YOUR PASTOR? 1. Because his victories are (your) the church’s victories. “When Moses held up his hand (in prayer), Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed” (Ex. 17:11). 2. Because God’s people are captive to godless forces. Daniel (9:1-23) ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 17:11

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 1: The Seasons Of Life

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Sep 1, 2003

Series: The Bible and Retirement

A. INTRODUCTION Winter: The farmer planning and dreaming. Spring: Cultivating the soil and planting. Summer: Working and growing toward success. Fall: Harvesting the fruits of life. THREE MISSED OPPORTUNITIES 1. Rejecting the season you are in. Always dreaming of the lazy, hazy days of summer. 2. ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

The Bible And Retirement: Lesson 2: The Seasons Of Life

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Sep 15, 2003

Series: The Bible and Retirement

A. INTRODUCTION - REVIEW 1. Winter – Dreams and planning (childhood). 2. Spring – Planting and preparation (youth). 3. Summer – Growth and hard work (adult). 4. Autumn – Harvest and enjoying the fruits of your work (retirement). B. PERSONAL JOURNEY THRU THE SEASONS 1. The direction is the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:4-8

Denomination: Baptist

The Bible And Retirement: Lesson 3: Growing Through The Seasons

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Sep 15, 2003

Series: The Bible and Retirement

A. INTRODUCTION B. REVIEW OF FOUR SEASONS 1. Winter – Dreams and planning (childhood). 2. Spring – Planting and preparation (youth). 3. Summer – Growth and hard work (adult). 4. Autumn – Harvest and enjoying the fruits of your work (retirement). C. CONTINUATION 5.Each season has varying ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:28

Denomination: Baptist

The Bible And Retirement: Lesson 4: Paying A Price

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Sep 15, 2003

Series: The Bible and Retirement

A. INTRODUCTION: THE PRICE IS ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL 1. To have a successful journey through life, you must continuously pay a price. The flesh wants ease. The devil wants defeat. The world wants conformity. 2. You fail to reach your greatest potential when you fail to pay a price. B. THE TEN ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:27-28

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