Sermons on Ray Boltz:

"Jesus Teaches About Priorities"

Contributed by Ray Scott on Nov 25, 2003

The Bible is so vast ... we can’t possibly memorize it all. Let’s not use this as an excuse for not living righteous lives. Jesus gives us ONE VERSE as a guide to live by.

“Jesus Teaches About Priorities” Matthew 6:33 INTRODUCTION: We CONTINUE in our SERIES on “Lessons Jesus Taught”. We have seen what Jesus taught about: the Holy Spirit, Prayer, the Tongue, Thanksgiving, Repentance. This morning, we will see what Jesus teaches about “Priorities”. Everybody needs a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:33, Luke 14:15-20

Denomination: Baptist

"John - The Forgotten Cousin At Christmas"

Contributed by Ray Scott on Dec 2, 2003

John the Baptist often gets overlooked in Christmas sermons. John introduces the ministry of Jesus. Christians are to continue the ministry of Jesus.

“JOHN – The Forgotten Cousin At Christmas” Luke 1:6-66 INTRODUCTION: Christmas sermons always deal with the birth of Jesus … as well they should. HOWEVER, His cousin John gets left out a lot, when it comes to Christmas sermons. John is only 6 months older than Jesus. What did John and Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:6-66

Denomination: Baptist

"Examining Christmas Traditions"

Contributed by Ray Scott on Dec 2, 2003

This is an informal Wednesday Night Bible Study, examining why we celebrate Christmas on December 25th, what year Jesus was really born, what the Inn was like, and who the Wise Men were.

“Examining Christmas Traditions” (A Wednesday Night Bible Study) INTRODUCTION: TONIGHT, I want us to informally take a closer look at just a few of the Christmas traditions. I. WHEN WAS JESUS BORN? A. The Year Throughout history, calendars have been dated according to important historical ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

"Uncommon Birth"

Contributed by Ray Scott on Dec 2, 2003

The birth of Jesus was like no other ... because God planned it! This message reviews some of the uncommon aspects of the birth of Jesus.

“Uncommon Birth” Matthew 1:18 – 2:23 INTRODUCTION: People celebrate Christmas in different ways. There are different family traditions … different customs … BUT … the SAME BIRTH! Things sure have changed over the past 2000 years: o NOW – Santa comes at night … presents are opened as soon as ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Wonder Of Christ's Birth

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Dec 8, 2003

Why was the time when Jesus was born the right time? Why did God choose the land of Palestine as the birth place of Jesus? Why was 5 BC the year Jesus was born and not some other year?

The Wonder of Christ’s Birth -In the Fullness of Time- Galatians 4:4 Luke 2:1-7 The story is told about a man who got tired of the Christmas hoopla. All the frantic haste and the crass commercialism disgusted him. So, he decided not to go along with the crowd. Among other things, he decided not ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:4-7

Denomination: Free Methodist

"Christmas Questions"

Contributed by Ray Scott on Dec 9, 2003

Here are some "Christmas Questions" ... NOT to question God ... BUT to better understand WHY He planned the birth of His Son the way He did.

“Christmas Questions” INTRODUCTION: This morning, I want to ask some “Christmas Questions” … WHY? I’ve always had a questioning mind: LIKE: o How can a brown cow, eat green grass, and give white milk? o If man evolved from apes, why do we still have apes? o If a man stands in the middle of the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Why Does God Allow Hardship In Our Lives

Contributed by Ray Carver on Dec 13, 2003

Have you ever look around at your life and simply asked: WHY? Have hardships and trials ever come into your life for seemingly no reason? Hear are a few possible reasons why.

WHY DOES GOD ALLOW HARDSHIP IN OUR LIVES? Text: Psalm 73:1-2 Intro: Have you ever look around at you life and simply asked: WHY? Have hardships and trials ever come into your life for seemingly no reason? I want to share a few things from my own personal experience, only to illustrate the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 73:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

"What If There Were No Christmas?"

Contributed by Ray Scott on Dec 16, 2003

In "the fullness of time" God sent His Son, Jesus to the earth as a babe in a manger. This devotional (before a Communion Service) explores HOW God prepared the world for Jesus.

“What If There Were No Christmas?” INTRODUCTION: Read Galatians 4:4-5 Christmas is this Thursday. We have waited 361 days for it. It seemed like it would never get here … and NOW … it’s coming too fast! It’s not easy to forget Christmas … VISA keeps reminding you … for months to come! One man ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:4-5

Denomination: Baptist

"Christmas Surprises"

Contributed by Ray Scott on Dec 16, 2003

This brief message was used after our Sunday Morning Christmas Cantata ... to wrap up the Christmas story ... and prepare hearts so there will be no SURPRISES when we must face Jesus.

“Christmas Surprise” INTRODUCTION: Christmas is full of surprises! Gifts are tightly wrapped in multi-colored paper, so you don’t know what’s inside until you open them (UNLESS, you peeked!). We get “surprise gifts” … o Like that tie that you’ll never wear. o Like the underwear you got as a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-33

Denomination: Baptist

"Bethlehem"

Contributed by Ray Scott on Dec 16, 2003

This Christmas message explores the little town of Bethlehem ... how God had prepared Bethlehem for 1700 years for the birth of His Son, Jesus.

“Bethlehem” INTRODUCTION: We think of Bethlehem ONLY as the birthplace of Jesus. Some might even realize that King David was born there. BUT … Bethlehem is mentioned 53 times in Scripture. There are actually 2 BETHLEHEM’s mentioned in the Bible: o NORTH – in Galilee – only 7 miles from ...read more

Scripture: Micah 5:2

Denomination: Baptist

The Supernatural Power Of Christ's Birth

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Dec 23, 2003

Everything about the birth of Jesus was supernatural. There was the miraculous conception. “Mary was conceived of the Holy Spirit.” It was unheard of for a virgin girl to become pregnant by the Holy Spirit.

The Supernatural Power of Christ’s Birth Matthew 1:18-23 Isaiah 9:6-7 Everything about the birth of Jesus was supernatural. First, there was the miraculous conception. “Mary was conceived of the Holy Spirit.” It was unheard of for a virgin girl to become pregnant by the Holy Spirit. Second, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-23, Isaiah 9:6-7

Denomination: Free Methodist

The Gifts Jesus Gives At Christmas

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Dec 23, 2003

The whole meaning of the Advent season prior to Christmas is this: a gift from God is on the way. The basic reason we offer Christmas gifts to each other is to honor and reflect the only perfect gift ever offered—the gift of God through a Bethlehem baby n

The Gifts Jesus Gives at Christmas Matthew 2:10-11 The whole meaning of the Advent season prior to Christmas is this: a gift from God is on the way. The basic reason we offer Christmas gifts to each other is to honor and reflect the only ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:10-11

Denomination: Free Methodist

"Have A Healthy New Year"

Contributed by Ray Scott on Dec 23, 2003

We need an annual SPIRITUAL check-up, just like we need an annual PHYSICAL check-up. In Psalm 26, David shows us his chart, as he goes to the Great Physican for his spiritual check-up.

“Have A Healthy New Year” Psalm 26 INTRODUCTION: The new year is almost upon us. We often greet each other, “Have a healthy and prosperous New Year!” Tonight, I want us to take a look at having a “Healthy New Year”. Sometimes we need an annual SPIRITUAL check-up, just like we need an annual ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 26:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

"Post-Christmas Blues"

Contributed by Ray Scott on Dec 23, 2003

After Christmas there is sometimes a big letdown. This message deals with Joseph and Mary and their flight into Egypt, and the lessons we can learn about God’s care.

“Post-Christmas Blues” INTRODUCTION: Christmas 2003 is over! The tree is still up, but it looks mighty empty underneath. All that’s left of the turkey is a bare skeleton. Visiting family members have left to go back home. The excitement of Christmas took weeks to build to a crescendo … and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:13-23, Matthew 2:9-16, Matthew 2:9-23

Denomination: Baptist

Every Knee Shall Bow

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Mar 22, 2002

An evangelistic message declaring that a day is coming when every knee shall bow and tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

“Every Knee Shall Bow” Philippians 2:1-11 A day is coming that will be unlike any other day in world history. Philippians 2:10-11, “At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of god the ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11

Denomination: Free Methodist