Sermons on Ray Charles:

"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

Words Of Distinction - "Daily"

Contributed by Ray Scott on Dec 30, 2003

In this New Year’s message, we see that there are some activities that God expects of us DAILY in the coming new year ... Daily Prayer, Daily Praise, Daily Bible Study, Daily Crucifixion, Daily Exhortation, Daily Service.

WORDS OF DISTINCTION – “Daily” INTRODUCTION: Today, being the first Sunday of the new year … we begin a new SERIES … “Words Of Distinction”. For the next several weeks, we will look at some DISTINCTIVE words in the Bible. We will explore their MEANING … and their APPLICATION to our Christian ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 86:3

Denomination: Baptist

Words Of Distinction - "Adoption"

Contributed by Ray Scott on Dec 30, 2003

This message explores "adoption", and the special relationship we have with our Heavenly Father by being placed into His family as a child of God.

WORDS OF DISTINCTION – “Adoption” Romans 8:14-17 INTRODUCTION: We continue in our SERIES on “Words Of Distinction”. TONIGHT, we will look at the word “Adoption”. Most of you probably don’t know that I was “adopted”. I was “adopted” at the age of 11, in 1961. HOWEVER, I lived with my birth ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:14-17

Denomination: Baptist

James - Apostle Of Passion

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Jul 28, 2003

In serving the Lord you can either look at what you are doing as a ministry or a job. When ministry becomes a job you lose the passion God wants you to possess.

James – Apostle of Passion Luke 9:51-56 In serving the Lord you can either look at what you are doing as a ministry or a job. When ministry becomes a job you lose the passion that God wants you to possess. My first ministry assignment as full-time pastor was in Kansas City, Kansas. I was ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:51-56

Denomination: Free Methodist