Sermons on Town:

The Miracles In John: Lesson 8: Raising Lazarus From The Dead

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Nov 17, 2005

World says seeing is believing, but God says the opposite; believing is seeing. “If you would believe, you would see the glory of God” (11:40).

1. When did this miracle occur? Winter after Purim, December (John 10:22) and before Passover (John 11:55). 2. Where did the miracle occur? Bethany, east of Jerusalem (11:1). 3. Why does Jesus wait? “When He (Jesus) had heard . . . He abode two days in the same place” (11:6). • Our agendas are not ...read more

Scripture: John 11:4-55

Denomination: Baptist

The Miracles In John: Lesson 7: The Man Born Blind

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Nov 17, 2005

“Neither this man nor his parents, sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him” (9:3).

A. INTRODUCTION: JOHN 9 1. Where did the action take place? Temple entrance. “As Jesus passed by” (9:1). a. Blind could not enter Temple. b. Normally begged. 2. What was the background? Crisis. “They (the Jews) took up stones to cast at him” (8:59). Aorist active subjunctive, i.e., some had ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Miracles In John: Lesson 9: Miracles Of The 153 Fish

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Nov 17, 2005

“without Me you can do nothing” in John 15:5 is seen here. “With Christ we can do all things” (Phil. 4:13). The presence of Christ in our lives makes the difference.

1. Where did the miracle take place? Near Tiberias (John 6:1). 2. Name all the disciples in verse 2 (Peter, Thomas the Twin, Nathanael, James, John, Andrew and Philip (John 1:40, 43-44). 3. Why did Peter say, “I go a fishing?” Note the four possible answers: a. Peter was the ring leader. b. He ...read more

Scripture: John 21:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Miracles In John: Lesson 6: Calming The Storm

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Nov 3, 2005

“Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it” (Heb. 12:11).

“Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone. Now when evening came, His disciples went down to the sea, got into the boat, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was already dark, and ...read more

Scripture: John 6:15-21

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

Lesson 6: The Coming Cultural Earthquake

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Nov 27, 2006

Don’t reject God who has spoken to us in the Word. Those who rejected God in the past did not escape His punishment, and you also will not escape if you do not listen and obey. God’s message is like an earthquake, because He promised, “Next time, I will

Hebrews 12:15-18 Don’t reject God who has spoken to us in the Word. Those who rejected God in the past did not escape His punishment, and you also will not escape if you do not listen and obey. God’s message is like an earthquake, because He promised, “Next time, I will shake not only the earth, ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:15-18

Denomination: Baptist

Mother's Day

Contributed by Elmer Towns on May 12, 2010

The virtuous woman.

A. INTRODUCTION: WHAT I TELL YOUNG PREACHER BOYS TO LOOK FOR IN A WIFE 1. Godly: you need someone to pray you out of trouble and to pray for your ministry. 2. Work talent: you may need someone to help pay the bills. 3. Good looking: this means he really loves her, for if he loves her, she’s ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 31:10-12

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 2: Why I Believe In The Trinity

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jan 14, 2011

Exploring the foundation of our faith in the Trinity- God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

A. INTRODUCTION 1. We believe in the Trinity, “We affirm our belief in one God, infinite Spirit, Creator, and Sustainer of all things, who exists eternally in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. These three are one in essence but distinct in person and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:18

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 7: Are The Heathen Really Lost?

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jan 14, 2011

Four questions asked by critics regarding the unsaved and life after death.

A. 4 QUESTIONS RAISED BY CRITICS 1. Universalism. DOESN’T THE BIBLE TEACH SOME FROM EVERY TRIBE WILL GO TO HEAVEN? a. All tribes in Heaven. “They sung a new song . . . Thou was slain, and hast redeemed us . . . out of every kindred and tongue, and people, and nation” (Rev. ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:9-10

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 8: Easy Believism Vs. Lordship Salvation

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jan 14, 2011

Completing surrendering to Christ with salvation.

A. THE TENSION BETWEEN LORDSHIP SALVATION VS. EASY BELIEVISM 1. It’s a mistake to use pejorative terms, as if they were fighting. 2. John MacArthur, The Gospel According to Jesus, 1982, and Charles Ryrie, So Great Salvation. 3. Theologians tend to Lordship Salvation. Evangelists tend to ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:31

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 9: Is The Will Of God A Gps Or A Pre-Drawn Blueprint?

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jan 14, 2011

Is God’s will guidance or a finished product?

A. INTRODUCTION 1. Looking from God’s perspective.  God knows everything actual and possible (Rom. 4:17).  God has expectations for us.  God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life. 2. Looking from our perspective.  We have the power of choosing ...read more

Scripture: Romans 4:17

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 3

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jan 14, 2011

Explaining and learning the background behind many hard to understand Bible verses.

A. INTRODUCTION: WHY PEOPLE HAVE QUESTIONS 1. Demands a response: How is a question different from other English sentences? a. Confusion. Why does the enemy ask questions? “Has God indeed said you shall not eat?” (Gen. 3:1). b. Conviction. Why does Jesus ask a question? ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:48

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 5: John 3

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jan 14, 2011

John 3

“There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-18

Denomination: Baptist